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As the Fire Board attempts to prepare the coming year's budget, the township boards that direct it are thinking it may be time to scale back to the tune of .25 mills less.

In a meeting in January between the Kearney and Forest Home Township boards, officials looked for ways the Fire Board expenditures could be cut.

The fire department currently receives 1.5 mill per year and, most agree, have provided a great service to the area with those funds.

But, the trustees have to answer to the residents of the township and as Kearney Township Trustee Rolland Kotz said Monday they have to respond to the question, "Is it all necessary?"

Members of the Fire Board have closely reviewed the budgets and looked at places to cut back, but they went to Kearney Township's March meeting to get a realistic estimate of what the board has in mind for the future.

"If you're going to reduce the millage, we'd really appreciate some heads up," Fire Board Chairman Ed McDuffy said. "We're in a tight spot and we realize you are too, which is why we're here."

One planned expense is an elevated ladder truck that McDuffy called the main "bone of contention."

The truck will cost around $1 million and the board has been storing away money for it.

"The reason I feel we need an elevated unit is for fires in town," McDuffy said. "It would be good for a lot of rescue situations."

But some aren't sure of the necessity of such an expensive truck.

"I respect what you do, but on the same token, we can't all drive Cadillacs," Kotz said.

McDuffy and Mike Bigelow, another member of the Fire Board assured the Township Board they are looking into grant money to pay for the truck, and because of the financial situation are suspending a plan for a dive team.

But a large issue, both at the January meeting and the one in March, is if the fire department could save if they didn't answer so many non fire-related calls, like removing trees from the road and lift assists (which account for approximately 70 percent of the calls).

The problem, according to Fire Board members is there is no way to tell which is which and that they are required to answer all 911 calls.

The boards have talked to the Sheriff and others about this issue, but all say there isn't really another option and that the various departments have to aid on calls.

"The practical truth is you really can't (reduce those runs)," McDuffy said. He explained fires grow to quickly to investigate whether it's financially worth the run.

To answer the question of what the Kearney Township Board was thinking in terms of a millage, Kotz said he would like to see the millage drop to 1 mill, but threw out 1.2 as being reasonable.

McDuffy said he got the feeling from Forest Home President Terry Smith that he would like to see the millage drop to 1.25 and McDuffy emphasized he thought that was a fair compromise.

"It's not perfect for anybody, but the fire department realizes there's some financial issues," McDuffy said. "A .25 mill reduction would be sort of a middle ground and I think everyone could live with that."

"We can sharpen our pencils and work with that," Bigelow added.

Other board members agreed on the figure of 1.25 mill, but said no decision would be made just yet.

Hadley Robinson can be reached at hrobinson@ michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-533-8523.