County Commissioner opposes Woodcrest Fire Department millage proposal, raises concerns over sign theft

Logan County Commissioner Charlie Meadows has voiced strong opposition to a proposed millage increase for the Woodcrest Fire Department (WFD).

Speaking during Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Meadows said he is part of a citizen group actively campaigning against the increase, which would raise the department’s funding rate from 6% to 10%. This increase aims to improve emergency response times, upgrade Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings, and support full-time firefighter and EMT positions.

“I’ve been working an involved effort to defeat the request by the Woodcrest Fire Department to increase their millage rate by 66% of money that they get,” Meadows said.

Voters in the WFD district will decide on the proposal in Tuesday’s vote. The measure follows similar increases passed in August for the Oak Cliff and Deer Creek fire departments, where voters approved a 3% increase from 7% to 10%.

In a social media post, Meadows stated his belief that voters will reject the proposal, which he called a significant property tax increase. “I believe the voters will reject the attempt by the Woodcrest Fire Department to increase our property taxes by 66% of their millage levy,” Meadows stated.

“The main reason I oppose this tax increase is because I care more about the people in the Southeast part of this district having fire protection than having the Woodcrest Fire Chief getting a big fat paycheck,” Meadows said. He argued that WFD should remain an all-volunteer department, as are most fire departments in the state.

Woodcrest Fire Chief Luke Young responded to Meadows’ comments, stating that this is not the time for “political games.” Young urged the public to focus on the department’s essential role in meeting emergency needs. “This is a time for serious people, a time for the people we serve and doing everything we can to meet their needs in an emergency,” he said in a social media post.

Meadows also raised concerns about campaign sign theft, claiming that over 50% of “No” signs were stolen. “By Saturday morning, over 50 percent of the signs we put out the day before had been stolen,” Meadows said. He called on Chief Young and the Board Chairman to instruct all firefighters and supporters not to engage in such acts, adding that failure to do so should lead to resignations.

“I don’t want to speculate as to who stole them but I call on the Chief (Young) and the Chairman of the Board to make sure all firefighters are instructed not to steal the signs as well as go on their social media and tell all supporters not to steal the signs which is a criminal act. If they are unwilling to do this they should immediately resign.”

Meadows also announced plans to request increased patrols from Sheriff Damon Devereaux on election day.

Devereaux, along with Guthrie Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson, has endorsed a “Yes” vote to support additional funding for the fire department.

Meadows’ term will end in December after he was defeated by Coffman in an August runoff, despite his earlier prediction of an 85% chance of winning with at least 60% of the vote. Coffman ultimately secured the election with nearly 55% of the vote.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.