Continuing the Dialogue: Update on the proposed Jeffersonville/Utica Fire Territory

During the final public hearing for the proposed creation of a new fire territory between the City of Jeffersonville and the Utica Fire Protection District, Council President, Evan Stoner, astutely observed that actions and policies originating in the Indiana Statehouse often pit local governments against each other. The mechanics behind our budget formulas have us competing for limited resources making municipal governance feel like we're unwilling participants in Indiana's version of The Hunger Games.

When one of our neighbors suffers, who wouldn't want to provide aid?

The City of Jeffersonville is to be commended for stepping up to provide aid to our friends in Utica when the mismanagement of their fire protection service became known and the newly appointed Fire District Board faced the difficult task of restoring coverage to their community. Jeffersonville, as a provider of fire protection services for a large portion of Utica Township already, was perfectly poised to offer assistance and Fire Chief Shawn Grant noted that to do so added no extra stress on the department ensuring existing residents last July that the department has "more than enough resources and personnel to continue to provide the fire protection Jeffersonville has come to expect.”

The interlocal agreement for fire protection service reached between the City of Jeffersonville and the Utica Fire Protection District provides coverage for the District through December 2025. This agreement gives the units plenty of time to find a long-term solution to secure the fire protection service that Utica residents deserve.

Two months before entering into a service agreement with Utica, the City of Jeffersonville began a study to adopt a fire territory with them. The proposed territory would permanently join the Utica Fire Protection District with the City of Jeffersonville's Fire Department and segregate EMS service for the new territory away from the existing county-provided ambulance service. Because the proposed territory will also create a new tax levy that will be added to the City of Jeffersonville's existing levy it has a significant negative impact on the budgets of all other cities, towns, libraries, fire departments, and schools in Clark County.

After the financial impact study was released to the public and other entities at the first public hearing on February 6th, leaders from other taxing units affected have asked for this decision to be delayed while a more reasonable solution for all can be identified. I explained the impact of the proposed territory in another post available here: "Call to Action: Help save Charlestown's budget from Jeffersonville's proposed fire territory."

Two things are clear: Utica needs fire protection and all of Clark County needs reliable and responsible ambulance service.

I believe it's critical that as we work to meet these needs we cannot fall into an argument about which community is more deserving of assistance. We should be looking for ways to ensure that we all thrive. We are linked not only by geographical lines, but by a common interest, through jobs, festivals, celebrations, families, and friends. The solution for one of our community's problems cannot come at the expense of all others.

I'm grateful for the community leaders who have been willing to engage in dialogue about this extremely impactful and difficult decision. County Council members and County Commissioners, town managers, school corporation leaders, a few City Council members, Fire Chiefs, Librarians, and Mayor Moore have all answered my texts, calls, and emails. I appreciate them all.

Monday night, March 3, Jeffersonville's City Council will consider the ordinance to establish the fire territory on its first reading. If it passes then it will be considered at a final adoption reading on Thursday, March 13th. It remains my hope that the Council will postpone this action and engage with community leaders throughout Clark County to solve our emergency services problems together.

What can you do? The Council has invited feedback on the issue. You can email all members of the Jeffersonville City Council to ask them to use the remainder of the year to explore all options and work with other community leaders. Their email addresses are listed here: Email Jeffersonville Council Members Here are some points to remember in your communication:

• Utica has fire protection for the remainder of 2025 through the current interlocal agreement so there is time to find a good long-term solution that doesn't hurt other cities & towns, libraries, schools, and other fire departments.

• County EMS has improved with the hiring of Heartland Ambulance service and community leaders need to work with the County Commissioners to ensure that the whole county receives quality long-term ambulance coverage.

• River Ridge Commerce Center wants to negotiate a fire protection service agreement with Jeffersonville. The two units have successfully negotiated police protection and fire protection is the next step. The RRCC attorney made public comment at the last public hearing and explained that the fire territory will not be allowed legally to capture funds from the RRCC's TIF district so the best solution is for the fire department to re-visit a service contract and make a presentation to the full board of directors.

I believe in the strength of Clark County. I believe that our leadership can work together to find a solution that not only provides for the long-term protection of our friends in Utica but also ensures that all residents receive top-quality ambulance service. To do this, we have to continue the dialogue. We will not stand strong as one of Southern Indiana's most successful counties if we allow ourselves to fall into the trap of competition. We thrive when all of our units succeed.