The DuPage County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to initiate a process to dissolve the North Westmont Fire Protection District. When dissolution is complete, the North Westmont Fire District will be the fifth unit of local government DuPage County dissolved.

The action eliminates the district’s annual tax levy and forgives the district’s debt, totaling $300,000 over the past five years. An additional $11,000 in annual administrative expenses will be redirected to support fire services.

Through the agreement with Westmont, the village will equitably apportion the costs of fire protection services while providing fire and ambulance service for residents of the district in unincorporated Westmont.

DuPage County Government Center (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“This is a great example of local government collaboration benefiting taxpayers. The agreement resulted in sustainable funding for a vital public service. I commend Westmont officials and fire district representatives who worked closely with residents developing and enacting this new model for fire service,” said DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin.

A 2016 survey found most residents were in favor of dissolving the North Westmont Fire District and receiving fire protection service from the Village of Westmont. In June 2017, the DuPage County Board gave the Village of Westmont permission to establish a Special Service Area to provide a fair and equitable rate for fire services for all residents. Westmont approved the establishment of an SSA in December, and the County Clerk established the SSA in February.

DuPage County previously dissolved Timberlake Estates Sanitary District, DuPage Fair and Exposition Authority, Fairview Fire Protection District, and Century Hill Street Lighting District.