By 1812Blockhouse
Genoa Township has shared information regarding the upcoming vote on May 6, where residents will decide on which future there will be for the townshipâs Fire Department through the proposed Fire/EMS Levy. The Fire/EMS Levy currently provides 98% of the departmentâs funding, and there are no alternative funding sources available.
If the levy does not pass, residents could experience longer emergency response times as assistance would need to come from neighboring communities. Additionally, homeowners may see increased insurance rates due to the absence of a local fire department.
Changes Made in Response to Community Feedback
Following the unsuccessful levy vote in November 2024, township leaders engaged with residents to better understand their concerns and made adjustments to the new proposal. The revised levy now includes a five-year term instead of being continuous. It is structured as a 5.3-mill “Renewal” combined with a 2.4-mill “Increase.”
Key changes include:
- The 5.3-mill renewal portion is assessed based on 2015 Delaware County Auditor property valuations, rather than current values, to reduce tax impact.
- A “Rollback” credit from the State of Ohio will provide an annual discount, lowering the effective cost to $186.07 per $100,000 of property valuation.
- The total estimated levy revenue has been reduced to $9,489,000 by shortening the levy term, minimizing reserve funds, and implementing cost-saving measures in 2024 and 2025.
Residents can view and print a detailed comparison chart of the proposed, expiring, and previously failed levies here: Comparison Chart.
What the Proposed Levy Would Fund
If approved, the levy would provide the necessary funds to maintain fire and emergency medical services. Despite a 20% increase in emergency calls over the past decade, the Fire/EMS Levy has remained unchanged during this time.
The funding would support:
- Maintenance and replacement of essential equipment and facilities
- Salaries and benefits for paramedics and firefighters
- Health insurance and recruitment efforts to attract and retain trained emergency personnel
The May 6 vote will play a crucial role in determining the future of fire and emergency medical services in Genoa Township.
