Public Safety · Park County
Park County Fire District Warns Nov. 3 Tax Cut Threatens Emergency Response
Park County Fire Protection District 2 officials warn that Proposition 1, a 50% property tax reduction on the Nov. 3 ballot, would further reduce their budget after nearly $600,000 in net losses over five years from prior tax cuts. The district serves Cody, Wapiti, Sunlight, Crandall, and the North and South forks with 42 volunteer firefighters and four full-time staff. Fire warden Jerry Parker and board member Matt Crowther say additional cuts would compromise mandated equipment replacements—including bunker gear, air packs, and fire engines—and reduce mutual aid to ambulance services. Officials also note that degraded ISO ratings from underfunded operations could raise homeowner's insurance premiums.