By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage Fire Protection District would be expanded to include the northern half of Carytown, if voters there approve a proposal on Tuesday’s election ballot.

For years, the community between Carthage and Jasper has had divided fire service. The southern half of Carytown has been a part of the Carthage district, and the northern half was served by the Jasper Fire Protection Association.

Carytown officials raised the possibility of a change earlier this year, when there were some conflicts concerning the use of firefighting equipment shared by the city of Jasper and the association.

“We had an area there we weren’t sure was going to be covered, so we took a petition around and asked people what they wanted,” said Marvin Frost, chairman of the Carytown Board of Trustees. “Almost everyone said they wanted to go with Carthage.”

The addition will not significantly affect the size of the fire district — 155 square miles outside the city of Carthage.

Fire protection in the district is provided by the Carthage Fire Department, under a contract with the city.

“That’s an area we’d probably go to anyway, to provide mutual aid,” said John Cooper, Carthage fire chief.

Officers of the fire protection district have not taken a position on the proposal, according to Dale Wickstrom, board chairman.

“We didn’t instigate it, but we’re not opposing it,” he said. “We don’t think it would be a burden for the district, because we think the revenue generated will cover the expenses.”

The Jasper association sold memberships, while landowners in the Carthage district pay a tax of 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. After collection, Wickstrom said revenues are turned over to the city. Proceeds totaled $327,490 for the fiscal year ending June 30, according to Lynn Campbell, Carthage city clerk.

On a home valued at $80,000, the 25-cent levy would translate to a tax bill of $38 per year.

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