Saline County Rural Fire Districts Detail Budgets, Aging Equipment Amid Rising Costs

Chiefs from several Saline County rural fire districts appeared before commissioners during a July 28 budget study session to explain their 2027 funding requests, with many citing rising costs for equipment, insurance and vehicle maintenance.

Fire District 1 Chief Justin Ade requested an increase from $160,000 to $175,000, the largest percentage increase among the districts. Ade said the district covers Kipp, Gypsum and areas into Dickinson County, operates a 15-truck fleet with an average vehicle age in the 1980s and 1990s, and is in the process of taking over fire response for the city of Gypsum. He said bunker gear costs had risen about 16% since 2024 and truck pumps by about 20%. The district reported roughly 32 volunteer firefighters.

Fire District 2 Chief Jim Preston, whose district extends into McPherson County, did not request an increase, though staff noted the budget of $246,355 still exceeds the revenue neutral rate. Staff explained that residents in adjoining counties pay the fire district's mill levy as property tax rather than a reimbursement.

Fire District 3 Chief Scott Abker, covering about 266 square miles plus two Ellsworth County townships, requested a 2.3% increase, raising the budget to about $217,000, up from $166,000 two years ago. He attributed the increase largely to financing a new fire station in Brookville, aided by ARPA funds and the Brookville Community Foundation. He also reported roughly $45,000 in June 9 storm damage to the Hedville station, with a deductible he believed was about $1,000.

Fire District 5 Chief David Turner reported no increase, with a requested amount of $261,955. He described the district's 20-year-old aerial ladder truck—the only one in the county—which could cost $1.2 million to $1.4 million to replace, or about $387,000 to refurbish, saving the county roughly $900,000. He noted air packs now cost about $10,000 each and gear about $4,000 a set.

Fire District 6, which did not attend, requested $67,620 and was the only district to fall under the revenue neutral rate, by 0.02 mills. Fire District 7 Chief Shane Komarek requested an increase of about 1%, presenting a 10-year equipment replacement plan. Several commissioners praised the districts, noting the chiefs collectively have decades of service and that rural departments increasingly provide mutual aid, including into the city of Salina.