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Pentwater Fire Chief Jonathan Hughart
Voters rejected new millage proposal Aug. 6 that included funding 4 full-time firefighters
PENTWATER — After voters turned down a millage proposal during the primary election Aug. 6, the Pentwater Fire Department announced it will ask voters to approve its existing millage that has been in place for 20 years during the Nov. 5 general election.
“The Aug. 6, 2024 new millage ballot proposal by Pentwater Fire Department failed yesterday by a measure of 324 to 380 votes,” states a press release from the fire department issued Wednesday, Aug. 7. “The proposal sought to levy a new 3.5 mills each year to fund several enhancements, including:
∙ Facility Repairs
∙ Fleet expenses
∙ Fleet accrual to prevent future loan and interest costs
∙ Four full-time firefighter/medical responders for improved response times
∙ Basic operating expenses
∙ Gear and equipment
“A key feature was to hire four full-time firefighters. Full-time staff will improve response times for fire and medical calls for service to the Village of Pentwater and Pentwater Township,” states the press release.
“Obviously, this wasn’t the outcome we hoped for,” said Pentwater Fire Chief Jonathan Hughart. “We knew that this was a huge step up, and we look forward to working with the community we protect to better understand improvements they would like to see tomorrow and beyond. The people we protect and serve have always been very supportive of PFD and we now look to November to renew the existing millage that has been in place since 1994.”
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