THE KNIGHT TOWNSHIP (INDIANA) FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE CHIEF notified the citizens of the Evansville suburb that they will be shutting down on January 1 for lack of funds.
Burkhardt Road station (Courier & Press photo)
Their problem began in 2008 when the Township Trustee, Linda K. Durham was exposed in a State audit for embezzling nearly $75,000 from the township’s bank accout and mishandling untold sums more, leaving the township of 8,000 people destitute for operational funds. The FD is an all-volunteer organization that relies on the twp. to fund the cost of operations. They were budgeted to receive $260,000 for the fiscal year that just began, but so far have only received $45,000 of the first installment of $119,000 due this past June. Further, the current Township Trustee has advised the FD that the next fiscal year’s budget will be $100,000 short of the required funds to operate.
Fire Chief Chris Wathen said closing the fire department was the only option and tells more about their decision in this video report prepared by WFIE-TV Ch. 14 HERE.
The Knight Township Fire Department has 30 active members and operates out of two stations. Talks are currently underway with officials in Evansville to see if a mutual-aid pact can be worked out. Also discussions are being conducted with neighboring VFD’s to see if they can provide coverage.
The Evansville Courier & Press has MORE.
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