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Council committee moves forward on 5.75-mill levy to fund fire and EMS services
Summary
Council's Safety Committee reviewed a resolution of necessity to place a 5.75-mill replacement levy for fire and EMS on the ballot; members said the levy replaces an expiring levy, will be computed on current property values, and would cost a homeowner with a $200,000 house about $140 per year, though final calculations will come from the county.
The New Franklin Safety Committee considered a resolution declaring it necessary to levy an additional tax exceeding the 10-mill threshold to replace an expiring 5.75-mill levy to fund fire protection and emergency medical services.
Committee members said the current levy had been 5.75 mills for many years and that state law language changes require the new measure to be presented as a new levy. Staff explained that if placed on the ballot and approved, the levy would be computed on current property valuations and could generate more revenue than the expiring levy because values have increased since the prior levy calculation.
Committee members and fire staff emphasized the levy funds firefighter staffing, equipment, and vehicles; officials said the department has faced staffing and retention pressures and needs to maintain pay equity to avoid losing personnel to neighboring jurisdictions. The proposed measure is a replacement of the existing 5.75 mills, and staff said the levy will be placed on the ballot with calculations from the county auditor’s office and further public outreach.
Staff provided an illustrative calculation using a median home value of $200,000: under that example the levy would increase property tax roughly $140 per year (about $70 per half-year payment). Committee members stressed the choice will be with voters and encouraged public education on the levy’s purpose and the services it funds.
The transcript records committee-level discussion and outreach planning, including participation from fire representatives. No final vote to place the levy on the ballot was recorded in the provided excerpt; staff described the statutory steps (resolution of necessity, submission to the fiscal officer, then a resolution to place the levy on the ballot with county computations).
