Fire District No. 1 voters unanimously approved the proposed 2019 budget and the tax increase associated with it.

On May 8, over 20 people showed up to the fire station and voted to approve a $1.1 million budget. It was an increase of $177,005 from the 2018 budget, and raised district residents' fire taxes from 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to 44 cents per $1,000.

One of the biggest budget items is the purchase of air tanks, which has a $275,000 price tag.

The Prudential Committee used $100,000 in extra funds to cover some of the cost to lessen the tax increase. Once the new tanks arrive, they will have a life expectancy of 15 years before needing to be replaced again.

A request to pay recruits $1,000 for a total of $7,000 once they finished their training was passed without opposition, as well after being recommended by the committee 2-1.