CENTERBURG — Central Ohio Joint Fire District’s four-year, 5.925-mill replacement levy that would have generated $1,468,000 annually failed Tuesday.
Of the 794 votes cast, 568 voters said no (71.54%). Only 228 (28.46%) approved the replacement levy.
Voters rejected the levy in November 2024 by a 51.94% to 48.06% margin.
Chief Mark McCann cited increasing costs, the uncertainty of some revenue streams, and the desire to pay off the station’s mortgage and save $250,000 in interest as reasons to pass the levy, Knox Pages previously reported.
“It failed pretty profoundly,” Fire board member Eric Cochran said Wednesday. “As a board, we have to decide what to do in November. The next step is for the board to decide what levy we’re going to try to run.
“The board was not unanimous in it being a replacement levy. I felt the voters sent us a message in the first one that we don’t ask for more money.”
Attempts to reach McCann were unsuccessful.
CLJFD levy passes
Voters responded to County Line Joint Fire District’s request to pass a five-year, 4.5-mill levy, with roughly 54.27% of voters approving.
The district includes Morgan Township in Knox County, Washington Township in Licking County, as well as the Village of Utica.
Morgan Township voters approved the levy by a margin of 52.4% (124) for and 47.46% (112) against.
Voters in Licking County approved the levy by a margin of 56.14% to 43.86%.
The Knox County auditor projects the levy will generate $760,000 annually for equipment, personnel, and other fire/EMS expenses.
Township residents will pay $158 per $100,000 appraised home value.
“I’m ecstatic, this will definitely be a positive for us,” Chief Robert Homman said. “Being able to fund the district for future growth is one of the big things we’re looking at and now we’ll be able to start in that direction.”
Homman said the district’s board meeting tonight will address future specific improvements.
“There will be changes, it’s just a matter of speaking with the board,” Homman said.