PIERCETON — A public meeting regarding the preliminary discussion of forming a fire territory will take place at the Pierceton Community Building at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21.

Representatives from Jackson, Monroe and Washington townships in Pierceton, along with town council members, will discuss possible tax increases based on the proposed budget for the creation of a fire territory.

Previous preliminary discussions between the three townships took place in June and September of 2019.

While specific figures for the tax increases have not been determined, the preliminary figures for a budget range from $500,00 to $1 million.  These figures are in addition to the possible $20,000 for public accounting and consulting firm Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (Formerly Umbaugh and Associates) to draw up the paperwork, according to Clerk-Treasurer Jerry Kreger.

Representatives of Jackson Township are opposed to Pierceton forming a fire territory due to possible tax increases, according to Clerk-Treasure Jerry Kreiger.