Clyde Township residents asked to support fire tax

Clyde Township is asking residents to consider increasing the fire tax to 0.75 mils for four years, up from the 0.25-mill tax that expires at the end of the year. The increase will help cover increases in operational expenses. Fire Chief Gary May is hoping residents will recognize the need and appreciate the service the Clyde Township Fire Department provides when they go to vote Aug. 7. The owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $75 a year. “I feel the millage increase is a very reasonable request and we hope for the support of the residents of Clyde to maintain and improve services,” said May, the fire chief. If passed, May said having additional funding would go toward updating equipment and technology. The fire department has 19 paid-on-call firefighters on its roster. The township also contracts with Fort Gratiot and Kimball townships for fire coverage in specific areas.