The Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4 (LPFPD4) has announced plans to seek renewal of the existing $32 User Fee on the June 27, 2026 ballot.

LPFPD4 Fire Chief James Wascom said, “Livingston Parish has grown significantly over the years, and the demand for fire protection and emergency medical services continues to increase. Despite this growth, the User Fee has remained unchanged since July 1996.”

The current $32 User Fee generates approximately $800,000 annually and is a critical part of the district’s operating budget. These funds help support the staffing, training, equipment, stations, and other resources needed to protect life and property throughout the district.

“Maintaining the level of service our community expects and deserves is an ongoing responsibility,” said Robert Dugas, LPFPD4 Board Chairman. “This renewal is essential to helping us keep pace with growth and continue providing dependable emergency response services.”

Additional funding from the User Fee renewal will allow the district to continue providing expert fire protection and emergency medical services by supporting personnel, improving training, maintaining vehicles and equipment, and helping address long-term facility and operational needs.

IAFF Union 5515 Public Relations Liaison LJ Relle said, “LPFPD4 continues to serve a growing district with a funding structure that does not keep pace with development. New construction increases demand for fire protection immediately, but revenue tied to that growth is delayed until properties are occupied and placed on the tax rolls. As a result, the district often provides service long before it receives the full financial benefit of that growth. The renewal of the $32 user fee is absolutely necessary for District 4 to operate and the Union supports it 100 percent.”

LPFPD4 is responsible for providing fire protection and life-saving emergency medical services for approximately 60,312 residents and 24,125 households across 225 square miles of Livingston Parish. The district also protects more than $407 million in assets within its boundaries.

“It is an honor to serve and protect our community with the same commitment and professionalism we would use to protect our own families,” said Chief Wascom. “But our firefighters need continued support to meet the growing demands of the parish.”