CENTERBURG — Centerburg voters will vote Nov. 4 on a Central Ohio Joint Fire District renewal levy that would maintain the station’s current abilities.
The levy is a 4-year, 5.925-mill renewal issue, meaning residents would not be paying new taxes.
The levy first appeared on ballots in November 2024 as a replacement levy. In 2024, the levy failed to pass with 51.94% voting against and 48.06% voting in favor.
Additionally, the same replacement levy as the one in November 2024 failed to pass during the May 2025 special election. In May, 71.54% of voters voted against and 28.46% voted in favor.
Specifically, if the renewal levy passes, it will help maintain the current staffing and vehicles that the district has, COJFD board member Eric Cochran said.
“Without it, it will significantly impact on the staffing that we will be able to move forward with,” Cochran said.
It is almost half of our revenue, so it’s very important. This is our last time that we can run this levy.
COJFD Board member eric cochran
Cochran said COJFD currently staffs four full-time firefighters every day, one part-time employee (who can serve as a firefighter, EMT and medic), a chief and a fire prevention officer.
“Without this levy, we would have to cut something moving forward, and we wouldn’t be able to run multiple vehicles at the same time,” Cochran said.
Per Cochran, “it takes two people to run a squad and three people to run a fire truck, and that’s the minimum [required] staffing.”
What are the numbers behind the levy?
According to a sample ballot from the Knox County Board of Elections, “the county auditor estimates will collect $1,004,700 annually, at a rate not exceeding 5.925 mills for each $1 of taxable value.”
“Which amounts to $207 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 4 years, commencing in 2025, first due in calendar year 2026,” the sample ballot states.
A sample ballot for the Village of Centerburg’s 027 1 precincts is below. The 027 2 precinct’s sample ballot has the same language listed for the COJFD renewal levy.
Those unsure about the levy
During Wednesday’s final COJFD board meeting before election day, several residents came out to raise some concerns about the levy.
One of the concerned folks was Hilliar Township resident Julie Laughlin.
“I wanted to get behind last November’s levy, last May’s levy and this levy. The part that has been lacking is the financial basis for the ask,” Laughlin said.
Laughlin said she first started doing research into the levy during last November’s election because of inaccurate information from Chief Mark McCann.
“He [McCann] put out a flyer and mailed it to all the district that calculated everybody’s tax liability. The formula that he gave out for people to calculate their tax liability only represented 35% of their tax liability.”
According to Laughlin, she informed McCann of the error and suggested that McCann call the county auditor. Laughlin said McCann refused to call the auditor and insisted he had properly checked the formula.
Additionally, Laughlin has some concerns with the transparency of the COJFD board.
She said the COJFD board violated the Sunshine Laws by not making two “work sessions” public.
After submitting two public information requests with the Knox County Prosecutor copied in, Laughlin received the information from the illegal work sessions held on Sept. 23 and Oct. 2.
Laughlin said she just wants the board to be transparent and accurate with the information they put out so she can trust what they say and not have to pull financial reports.
Despite her concerns, Laughlin said she still isn’t sure how she will vote in terms of the upcoming levy, but did say she has supported COJFD levies in the past.