Hempfield Supervisors Reject Proposed Fire Tax Increase

The Conway Volunteer Fire Department is attempting to establish a fire tax district for the second time, holding a public hearing to educate residents on a proposed tax of seven cents per $100 of property valuation. This initiative follows an earlier failed attempt due to inadequate public awareness among residents outside the town limits. In Hempfield Township, supervisors recently rejected a proposed 3-mill property tax increase aimed at funding fire services, marking the first potential tax hike in 34 years. The proposed tax would have raised approximately $1.6 million to support the township's ten fire departments, but faced opposition from residents concerned about financial strain. Despite the rejection, officials warn that without additional funding, the quality of local services, including road maintenance, may decline. The contentious discussions highlight the challenges municipalities face in balancing necessary public safety funding with residents' financial concerns.