A referendum on the Limestone County ballot Tuesday will determine whether people living in annexed areas should pay a countywide fire protection fee.

The fee is $2.50 per month for residents and $5 per month for businesses. Voters approved the fee earlier this year, but some living in Decatur-, Madison- and Huntsville-annexed Limestone County balked. They say they already pay fire fees to their respective municipality.

However, South Limestone Fire Chief Derrick Gatlin said volunteer firefighters do not look at city limits when called to an emergency. Using 911 records, he said that as of this summer there were 3,500 structures in the annexed areas.

Although 911 dispatches the city fire departments in annexed areas, only Madison has a station in Limestone County. Gatlin said volunteers respond when needed to fires, wrecks and medical emergencies in these areas.

A “no” vote on this referendum means you think these annexed residents should continue paying the fee, and that’s what The Daily recommends.