If the city councils of North Ogden, Pleasant View and Harrisville approve the plan, residents of the three cities will be asked on the November general-election ballot to consider approval of the proposed North View Fire District.

And, organizers pledge, the average taxpayer would not notice a difference in overall taxes.

A unified district would have taxing authority of its own, making it easier for what is now called the North View Fire Agency to keep up with area growth, said Fire Chief Lynn Froerer.

Having a separate taxing district would free the cities from having to fund fire protection out of their general funds - an arrangement that has fire protection competing against other city services.

"They've had trouble keeping up with the growth," Froerer said.

Since 2000, the population has grown by 20 percent, but the call volume - North View Fire also provides ambulance service - has risen 79 percent.

"It's a convoluted [funding] system now," Froerer said. "[A district] will definitely simplify the process."

Ed Dickie, North Ogden's city administrator, agreed. "It takes away an administrative function we have to deal with."

The owner of a home valued at $200,000 per year would pay $127.27 in taxes to the proposed fire district, but each city would have to lower its property taxes to make up the difference.

The fire-district board would comprise the three mayors, three council members and a seventh member chosen at large. Currently, the three mayors are on the agency's board.

kmoulton@sltrib.com

Hearings scheduled for Aug. 12

Public hearings on the proposed North View Fire District - the issue may go on the November ballot in North Ogden, Pleasant View and Harrisville - are planned for Aug. 12.

* The North Ogden hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at 505 E. 2600 North.

* The Pleasant View hearing will be at 6:45 p.m. at 520 W. Elberta Drive.

* The Harrisville hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. at 363 W. Independence Blvd.