The city spent all $8.5 million of its property tax dollars last year — plus an additional $5.1 million — to pay for police and fire protection.

It is the third year that emergency response costs exceeded ad valorem taxes. And as the city faces a $3.4 million budget deficit next year, some elected officials say they need to consider consolidating police and fire service with the county.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...and-fire-costs