Fire departments, emergency medical services providers coming up on deadline for public safety funds

June 28--Fire departments both volunteer and professional and emergency medical services providers in the county that aren't part of Bloomington, Ellettsville, Stinesville or Monroe County government have until Thursday to apply for funding through the county's new public safety income tax.

Departments and providers that provide services within the county and are operated by or serve a political subdivision that wouldn't otherwise receive a distribution of revenue from the tax are eligible to apply. For example, a volunteer fire department in one of the county's townships may apply for funds.

Any entities that think they might be eligible should submit requests for funding before Friday to the Monroe County Auditor's office.

Applications should identify the applicant, the services it provides and to which political subdivision or subdivisions, and the amount requested.

The Tax Council reserves the right to request additional information after July 1. That body has full discretion to award or not award any funding to such applicants, but must act to make awards before September 1, 2016.

Funds will come from the 70 percent of revenue collected that is not automatically funneled to the combined emergency dispatch center for covering operational costs. Dispatch right now is funded through a combination of county and city general funds as well as the Statewide 911 Fund. This tax will replace the general funds contribution.

Once any requests have been considered, the remainder of the revenue will be distributed to the county, cities and towns within a county to be used toward public safety operations.

The tax, which was passed by all three fiscal bodies that have a vote on the Monroe County Income Tax Council, will go into effect Oct. 1, and the first payout will be Jan. 1.

Copyright 2016 - Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind.