2025 Millage
The Mason County Rural Fire Authority serves 16 municipalities, including the townships of Amber, Branch, Custer, Eden, Free Soil, Grant, Meade, Riverton, Sheridan, Sherman, Summit, Victory, and the villages of Custer, Fountain, Free Soil, along with the City of Scottville.
Over the past 30 years, the Authority has successfully met the basic needs of each station. However, rising costs have made it challenging to sustain high levels of service on a 1.5 mil budget supporting seven stations. Despite careful spending in recent years, the budget is no longer sufficient to cover necessary expenses such as wages, training, insurance, fuel, utility costs, along with repairs to buildings, vehicles, and equipment. For these reasons we are asking for a .5 mil increase for a total of 2mils.
Planning for
future service
The Mason County Rural Fire Authority has identified costs and service needs for the next decade. A Future Planning Committee, guided by emergency response experts, evaluated community needs to create this plan. Rising costs and the conclusions of this committee have led to a request for an increased Operating Budget to finance Emergency Services for the next 10 years.
Key recommendations include recruiting and retaining Paid-on-Call Responders, adding Full-Time Responders to address availability gaps, and reclaiming the west end of Amber Township by eliminating the $40,000+ annual payment to the Western Fire Authority.
2025 - 2035
Total Millage Allocation
1% Fire Authority
99% Other
HOW YOUR TAX
DOLLARS HELP MCRFA FIRST RESPONDERS
According to 2024 equalization records, the average taxable property value in our coverage area is $63,844. At 2 mils, property owners would pay $127.68 annually—or just $0.35 a day—for MCRFA Emergency Services. This investment ensures trained First Responders are ready to protect you, your loved ones, and your community.
.5 MIL INCREASE AVERAGE COST
This contribution guarantees that skilled First Responders will be available to safeguard you, your family, and the community in times of need.
$127.68
YEARLY
OR
$10.64
MONTHLY
OR
$2.46
WEEKLY
OR
35¢
DAILY
SUPPORT Mason County Rural Fire Authority’s FIRST RESPONDERS
ALL OF WHICH ARE VOLUNTEERS
Since 1996, MCRFA has been supported by taxpayers. Thirty years of service is a testament to the incredible people within this organization. On August 5 of this year, the Mason County Rural Fire Authority will request a 0.5-mill increase to fund operations for the next ten years. Providing the best possible service requires exceptional personnel, top-tier equipment, and adequate funding to sustain these services.