10-28-2025 Council Regular Meeting [27:36-32:37]

Who didn't go up outside the territory? All of them went up. So we know what happened, but it was all come back on the territory. Then when we lose what money that the volunteer is getting, that's just more. That's going to have to come out. We can't let it go out there. They've got to have finances. So that's going to have to come out of the territory. And right now, that's a real tight thing. We need new equipment. We've purchased new equipment, but the township's paid for that. And we've released the stuff to them because they don't have the money. Hopefully, we'll be able to buy new ambulance. That's our next step. Next step after that is try to get some more people into the territory. Another township's, hopefully. And then we'll be serving Lawrence County like we should. And somebody's got to stand up and say, well, this is what we should to do for the people. And I know that a lot of people get upset over $15 more month, but those same people against Matt over $15 more month on their taxes are the same people out there spending at someplace that you can't get it back. Blowing it. You know what? I know it. I look at... I don't want to say too much. I see things every day. I see the bank statements. I see who they spend their money. I know. And I know it's wasted. And they come in and they take money from out of our township trustee to help pay all these things. And we're trying to still stay afloat for the territory. But territory is going to stay afloat. There's no doubt about it. We'll make it happen. One way or the other. I mean, it'll come somewhere. I just don't want to be federal money. I don't want to know that. So, yeah, I'm really happy with the way the territory is working. I'm thankful for what you guys can do. You guys and gals, I didn't mean this guys. What you can do for us. I appreciate that. And I know that the volunteers... And I'll say this while I'm up here. Everything that we've purchased, this far truck for $500,000. We had put that money back and saved it in the township. We need the far truck. So, the far truck's being purchased by the township. I see the township citizens also paying taxes for the far department. So, now we have the money to pay for that. Don't have to borrow any money on that, saving a ton of money on interest to go borrow. borrow money to buy something. So, we've worked hard with that. We've built a brand new far station out there in 2016. And when I took over as trustee in 11, they couldn't keep the heat in the far station long enough to keep in the wintertime, keep the water from freezing in the trucks. So, it took us three years to have enough to start building a new far department building. That's not in the shame. The trustee should have been ashamed what was going on. And show us a new board that was behind it. And we've tried to change that. It didn't change, but we've got to change. It takes work. And as we did that, we don't want to leave anybody out. They've volunteered for years and years and years. Now they're getting paid. Okay, but it's a rotation. But it's nice to have that extra out there that they need, whether it's food, or whether it's whatever it may be. I keep saying food because you've got to feed them when they go out. But also it helps pay their gas and they go out on that run. They may leave that far station, and they may end up over the need more. Now they're helping that, or it may be down, you know, South Town, or in town, or out in East O'Ladyk or O'Ladyk or whatever, it's still gas. And that's their own vehicle that you're driving. It's not ours. Do you guys have any questions for me? I do have one. I've talked long enough. Do you know how much money the fire territory tax generated for you for the territory? I would have to go check in the books. I'm not sure. I can tell you what our budget is for the fire territory.