A $1.575 million bond levy request by the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District was approved by local voters in the May 17 election.
Voting for the bond were 2,006 SHFAD residents, 54.91 percent; 1,471 (40.27 percent) voted no.
The district will pay off the bonds over a seven-year period, using property taxes.
The tax rate is estimated at 31 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, said Fire Chief Dave Barringer. Estimates ranged from 31 to 36 cents, but the final paperwork sets the estimate at 31 cents, which is less than the rate for the district’s current bond levy, 37 cents.
District officials have said the bond is necessary to purchase needed self-contained breathing apparatus gear, replace ambulances, two rescue vehicles and the battalion chief’s response vehicle; purchase new extrication tools, powered cots and radio equipment, construct a building and take care of other building maintenance and improvement needs.