South Jacksonville Seeks Voter Approval for Fire Protection District

South Jacksonville leaders went before Morgan County Circuit Judge Chris Reif on December 14 seeking judicial approval to put a referendum before voters that would establish a new fire protection district for the village and surrounding rural area. The hearing focused on whether petition signatures meet statutory requirements and whether any formal objections warrant denying the measure a place on a future ballot.

Fire Chief Rich Evans Jr. told the court the proposed district would be funded by property tax revenues and provide a steadier, more predictable income stream to replace aging equipment and to hire part time personnel. Under the current arrangements some rural customers rely on a subscription model for fire protection services, a system that proponents say produces uneven revenue and complicates long term planning.

Local officials emphasized that steadier funding could improve response capacity and equipment replacement schedules, while some residents raised concerns about the prospect of a new tax. The hearing gave the community a procedural venue to challenge the petition or to raise legal questions before voters get to decide the policy trade offs at the ballot box.

The practical stakes for property owners are straightforward. If Judge Reif approves the petition and the referendum appears on a ballot, voters will have the opportunity to accept or reject a funding mechanism that would integrate the village and designated rural territory into a formally constituted fire protection district. Supporters frame the change as an investment in public safety infrastructure, while opponents have highlighted tax sensitivity among local households and the need for clear accountability in how new revenues would be spent.

The judicial review is a preliminary but pivotal step in the process. Judge Reif will evaluate the signatures and any objections and then rule on whether the question can proceed to voters. For Morgan County residents, the decision will determine whether the community moves from a largely subscription based model toward a property tax supported district with consequences for funding stability, service planning, and local taxation.