Residents of Prospect will begin paying a fire tax at the beginning of 2022 that will help the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department stay financially afloat.

The Prospect borough council approved a tax ordinance about three months ago that costs taxpayers an average of $3.60 a month, and will go directly to the Prospect VFD.

The department is asking the Franklin Township board of supervisors to consider implementing the tax in the township because it makes up a large part of department's coverage area.

“We're obligated to cover any fire in our coverage area,” said Jessica Parker, treasurer of the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department. “It's a population of more than 6,000 residents.”

The supervisors read a letter from the VFD at Monday's meeting, which detailed how many calls the department responds to annually, some challenges fire fighters face and how extra funding would help.

Parker said the tax would be applied to residents based on their property value. Supervisor chairman Herman Bauer Jr. said it would be an increase of about two mills.

According to Parker, the fire department relies on fundraisers and grant money for funding, which is a constant challenge. It responded to 163 calls in 2020, which lasted anywhere from 30 minutes to over five hours.

“We have never failed on a call,” Parker said.

The department increased in membership throughout the pandemic, and Parker said the cost is increasing for firefighters' insurance. Additionally, Parker said the department's headquarters is in bad shape, “not even worth” renovating.

The department wants to build a new facility on the same grounds it is on, and the fire tax would get the ball rolling on reconstruction.

Parker said the department is making a final push through September to get a tax ordinance passed. If it isn't approved by the end of September, Parker said a tax would not take effect at the beginning of 2022.

“It would be a game-changer for us,” Parker said. “It would just really ensure that we would stay alive.”

The department is hosting an open house and car show Sept. 5 at its facility, which Parker said will be a chance to demonstrate how badly they need a new building.