(ANGOLA) -- Angola Mayor Dave Martin is calling for the creation of a joint fire territory between the City of Angola and Pleasant Township, saying a merger is needed to ensure long-term, sustainable funding and governance for fire and emergency services.
In a statement released to the public, Martin said rising costs and increasing demand for emergency response have placed growing financial pressure on municipal fire departments that also serve surrounding rural areas. While township governments are responsible for rural fire protection under Indiana law, many rely on contracts with city departments, often leading to cities subsidizing services outside their boundaries.
Martin said Pleasant Township leaders have worked for years to address the imbalance by increasing funding for fire and emergency services. He now believes the next step is a formal fire territory that would combine resources, establish a single funding structure, and create shared oversight of the Angola Fire Department.
The proposed fire territory would follow a state-required approval process that includes four joint meetings involving the Angola City Council and the Pleasant Township Advisory Board. Three of the meetings are designed to gather public input and will include presentations on finances, property tax impacts, and insurance considerations. A legal representative, financial advisor, and homeowners insurance provider are expected to attend to answer questions.
All meetings will take place at 4 p.m. at the Pleasant Township Trustee's Office, 2510 N. 200 W., Angola.
Public input meetings are scheduled for:
- February 19
- February 24
- March 10
A final joint adoption meeting is set for March 23 and will not include public comment.
City and township officials are encouraging residents to attend and participate as the proposal moves forward.
Full Statement From Mayor Dave Martin:
In 1873, the Babcock Hook and Ladder Company was formed to provide fire protection for the
growing village of Angola. Over the years, the village has grown into a city, and the Babcock
Hook and Ladder Company has evolved into the Angola Fire Department. Today, the department
is responsible not only for fire protection, but also for all emergency assistance calls within the
City of Angola and several county townships.
In the State of Indiana, fire protection in rural areas is the responsibility of township government.
While few townships operate their own fire departments, most rely on contracted services from
municipal fire departments. As the cost of providing fire protection has increased and as demand
for emergency services has grown, municipal governments have increasingly subsidized fire
protection in rural areas of the county.
Leadership in Pleasant Township recognized this inequity and the growing demand for services
many years ago and has worked diligently to provide adequate funding for fire protection and
emergency services in the township.
At this point, I believe that in order to provide adequate and sustainable first responder services
for both the City of Angola and Pleasant Township, it is time to merge our efforts and form a fire
territory. This merger would ensure fair and equitable funding by both governmental entities, as
well as fair and balanced governance of the fire department.
The territory formation process is intentionally long with many opportunities for public input. It
will include four joint public meetings involving both city and township governments. A majority
of the City Council members and a majority of the Township advisory board members must be
present at all four meetings. Three of these meetings are designed to gather public input. During
the first three meetings, an overview of the proposed plan with financial analysis and property
tax impact will be presented. A legal representative, a financial advisor, and a local homeowners
insurance provider will be present to provide information and answer questions. Verbal and
written comments will be accepted.
All four meetings will be held at 4:00 p.m.at the Pleasant Township Trustee's Office, 2510 N 200
W Angola, IN.
The public input meeting dates are as follows:
• February 19
• February 24
• March 10
The final meeting will be a joint adoption meeting held on March 23. This meeting will not
include public comment.
The public is invited and strongly encouraged to attend any or all of these meetings.