Morgan Township trustees approve submitting 2.75‑mill fire levy renewal to November ballot and vote to opt out of HUD entitlement program for 2026–2028

Morgan Township Trustees voted June 23 to submit a five‑year renewal of a 2.75‑mill fire and emergency medical services levy to the November 4, 2025 ballot and approved a separate motion to opt out of the HUD entitlement program for 2026–2028.

The trustees read and adopted a formal resolution that describes the levy as a renewal (not an additional tax) of 2.75 mills, estimated in the ballot language to generate about $455,436 annually (per the county auditor’s certificate), and states the levy would commence in tax year 2026 with first collection in calendar year 2027 if approved by voters. The resolution cites Ohio Revised Code provisions in its draft ballot language (the hearing text referenced ORC sections including firefighter employer contribution and levy submission procedures).

Separately, township staff presented a drafted letter to Butler County and to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to indicate Morgan Township’s decision to be excluded from the entitlement program; a trustee moved to opt out for 2026–2028 and the motion passed unanimously. Staff said the draft letter has been prepared and only signatures are needed to file the request.

Both motions passed with recorded affirmative responses from the three trustees present: Mister Cole — Yes; Mister Brucker — Yes; Mister Huff — Yes.

Staff directed the fiscal officer to certify the adopted resolution and related materials to the Butler County Board of Elections at least 90 days before the Nov. 4, 2025 election, per the procedural language read during the meeting. The trustees did not amend the levy language during the meeting; they described the ballot text as substantially the same as the posted exhibit and noted the levy is a renewal of the existing tax.