MOUNT VERNON — Knox County voters will decide four fire and EMS issues, and two liquor-control options when they go to the polls on May 5.
Central Ohio Joint fire District is asking voters in Hilliar and Milford townships and the Village of Centerburg to renew a 5.5-mills, 4-year levy. Funding supports the overall daily operations of the station.
The levy will generate approximately $960,737.
Chief Mark McCann said the levy covers nearly 50 percent of COJFD’s daily costs.
“This past year, our health insurance increased 30 percent, and the cost of a fire truck continues to rise,” he said.
For example, McCann said COJFD ordered a fire truck three years ago at a cost of $775,000. That same truck would cost $1.2 million if ordered today.
“Fire gear that we wear now costs over $4,500 per firefighter. When this levy passed three years ago, fire gear cost about $2,500 per firefighter,” he said. “We pay the same cost for fuel and repairs as anyone else.”
McCann said grants are the department’s biggest means to offset some costs.
“We constantly monitor every expenditure and need, sometimes daily,” he said.
However, McCann said the COJFD has many fixed costs it cannot change.
“Staffing is the biggest part of our budget. This would force us to make hard choices,” he said regarding what happens if the levy fails. “[Renewing] the levy will allow us to maintain our current staffing and service levels.”
Morris Township
Morris Township has a 4-mill, three-year renewal levy on the ballot.
“The levy provides the cost of services for fire and EMS protection for Precinct B of the township,” Township Trustee Dan Humphrey said. “Should the levy fail in May, we will put it back on the ballot in November.
“Should the proposal for eliminating property taxes be on the ballot in November and if it would pass, fire and EMS protection would be in jeopardy as would maintenance of roads and bridges not just Morris Township, but throughout the state,” he added.
The levy will provide about $140,000 per year.
“This is not a new tax, but simply a renewal of the current funding. The funds are used exclusively for fire and EMS services for the southern portion of the township,” Humphrey said.
“These services are being provided by Mount Vernon fire/EMS and Monroe Township fire/EMS, depending upon which department can provide the fastest service.”
The Fredericktown Fire and EMS district covers Precinct A, or the northern portion of the township.
Fredericktown Community Joint Ambulance District
The Fredericktown Community Joint Ambulance District has a five-year, 1-mill levy for ambulance and EMS services on the primary ballot.
“This levy is a renewal of an existing levy that is set to expire,” district clerk Robin Santo explained.
The levy is projected to generate approximately $220,681 annually to support overall operations.
Because it is general fund revenue, it supports all aspects of operations, including:
- Salaries and staffing.
- Supplies and medical equipment.
- Vehicles and apparatus.
- Maintenance of equipment and vehicles.
- Training and continuing education.
“This levy accounts for approximately 26.44 percent of the total budget. Without it, that portion of funding would be lost, creating a significant budget shortfall,” Santo said.
Similar to other fire and EMS districts, Santo said that costs are expected to rise 4 percent to 85 annually, or 22 percent to 47 percent cumulatively, over the next five years.
“These increases apply to personnel, supplies, and equipment,” she said.
Santo said that if voters do not renew the levy, the district could continue operating for approximately six to nine months.
“After that, it would face a budget deficit, and significant service reductions or operational changes would be necessary,” she said.
“Currently, there are no alternative funding sources available. Fredericktown EMS operates on a tight and fiscally responsible budget.”
Santo said that renewing the levy helps ensure that the district maintains current staffing levels, continued personnel training and education, and proper maintenance and updating of equipment and vehicles.
“This allows the district to continue providing reliable, high-quality emergency services to the community,” Santo said.
Liberty Township
Liberty Township’s five-year fire levy is a renewal of the current 4.4-mill levy and a new .1-mill, for a total of 4.5 mills.
“The actual levy rate is adjusted for properties to an effective rate by the state based on the real estate valuations and total amount to be collected. The last effective rate provided by the [county] auditor for residential and agricultural was 3.4 mills,” Trustee Darren Lee said via email.
Liberty Township contracts with the Mount Vernon Fire Department for fire and EMS services. The levy will generate $360,660 annually.
Lee said that if voters do not pass the levy, the township would not have funds to provide fire and EMS services for its residents.
“There are no alternative sources of funding. This is an enterprise fund and only used for fire and EMS services,” he said.
Centerburg liquor options
Centerburg voters will vote on two liquor options for 23 E. Main St., the site of a future Mexican restaurant.
One option is on-premises sales of spirituous liquor. The other option on the ballot is Sunday sales of wine, mixed beverages, and spirituous liquor, on- and off-premises.
