The 19.68 mills needed to supply 63 percent of St. Tammany Fire District 5 in Folsom’s budget will expire at the end of the year but there is no way the district can raise the money now since a proposed Dec. 26 election has been canceled.

The state bond commission defeated a request to hold a special election the day after Christmas to renew the millage by a vote of 8-5, which fell short of the majority needed to pass the request. Costs to hold the election and the logistics of an election on Dec. 26 were contributing factors in the denial.

Chief David Pittman said Friday that the earliest election date available would be in March. The board of the fire district has not yet met, according to Pittman. Meanwhile, he is trying to revise the budget. “We’re going get through this — it’s bad, but I believe we’re going get through this. I’ve been through worse than this and survived,” said Pittman. “We’re just going to tighten our belt as tight as we can.”

Pittman said money in savings, about $236,000, and another $134,000 in cash will help see them through the crisis. In addition, there is still 8.4 mills still in effect; about $20,000 in fire insurance rebates; and state revenue of about $29,000. Pittman said this would all generate about $511,000.

The millages generate funding as tax bills are paid, said Pittman, so even the 8.4 mills is not available in a lump sum, but will come to the fire district in payments throughout the year. He said the fire district will do what is necessary to stay afloat.

Pittman also said that even a loan from the parish or state may not be the best solution, because it would require FD 5 to pay the money back.

Suzanne Parsons Stymiest said the parish is very concerned. “Kevin Davis (parish president) and Bill Oiler (parish chief administrative officer) went to the bond commission meeting to try to convince them to allow the election.”

Stymiest said the concern right now is the impact this will have on the community for public safety and the financial cost to those citizens. She said that public safety comes first, which is why officials tried to convince the bond commission to allow the special election.

She added hat even if the 19.68 millage was approved at the earliest regular election in March 2010, it would not take effect until 2011, which will leave the fire district without that revenue for the entire year.

She said that most of the funding in the parish is already dedicated, meaning the funds can not be used for anything other than the dedicated purpose.

Pittman said that as a faith-filled man, he is praying that God will see them through this. “Philippians 4:19 says that ‘I can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.’ This scripture has helped me many times as chief, and I stand on God’s promise that He will provide all our needs.”

Pittman said that he has confidence the fire district will stay in operation. “We’re not going to fold,” he said.

It is not clear why the renewal was not considered earlier in the year. More information about the measures the fire district will employ to meet a critically reduced revenue will be forthcoming after the district’s board meets.

It is not uncertain whether firefighters will be laid off and what effects the community will have to bear.

In addition to public safety issues, residents may have fire insurance problems if services are curtailed, including no insurance or higher premiums.