GIRARD — Girard city officials will reach out to Liberty and Weathersfield townships about splitting the cost of a feasibility study on forming a joint fire district.

Girard fire Chief Ken Bornemiss told city officials Monday he met in March with Liberty fire Chief Gus Birch and Weathersfield fire Chief Tom Lambert about the idea of possibly forming a joint district to improve services.

Bornemiss said when he spoke to Lambert and Birch, they were interested in getting information on what the budget for funding a district would need to be, how many firefighters and how many fire stations would be needed. But they are concerned that the residents of both townships likely would not be interested in any additional taxes to fund a district.

“Liberty has some of the highest property taxes in the state. Funding is a major concern as is where do we get the firefighters from to operate the district. … If we want to move this process forward, Girard will need to sit down and meet with the legislative bodies from the two townships,” he said.

Bornemiss said Birch and Lambert recommended Girard officials speak with township trustees about the idea and seek their input.

He said Girard’s fire budget is $1.6 million with $1.2 million from income taxes from the city’s general fund; Liberty’s fire budget is $2.2 million and Weatherfield’s fire budget is $250,000. He said Liberty has 17 full-time firefighters with Girard at 13 full time. Weathersfield only has part-time staffing. Also, Liberty fire covers 23.7 square miles of roads, Girard 6.9 miles and Weathersfield eight miles.

Weathersfield has three fire stations, Girard one and Liberty two.

“Thirty firefighters to staff a fire district of this size will not cut it. We needed at least a minimum of 50. This will be difficult to find,” Bornemiss said.

Bornemiss said it would be essential to get the public involved in future talks because voters decide on funding and a fire district can only be covered by property taxes.

He said while Girard has a 3-mill fire levy that generates $350,000 per year, a fire district with three large jurisdictions would need to be 10 mills.

A feasibility study could cost up to $50,000. Mayor James Mefli said he will contact Weathersfield and Liberty to see if they would be interested in sharing the cost.

“The study would tell us what would need to be involved,” he said.

Melfi said he also has spoken with McDonald Mayor Glenn Puckett, who wants to be kept informed of the talks.

Girard firefighter Brian Pearson, union president, said the local International Association of Firefighters may be able to do a feasibility study, which could take six months, at no cost.

Fourth Ward Councilman Tom Grumley said the health and safety committee had wanted to explore the idea of joint fire district to enhance the fire and emergency medical service provided to the residents.

Bornemiss said with Weathersfield and Liberty using Trumbull 911, that center could dispatch for a fire district.