Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Former mayor, committee press voters to approve 0.15% fire/EMS levy for Bowling Green
Summary
A mayor emeritus and members of a mayor-appointed committee urged Bowling Green residents to vote yes on a Nov. 4 levy that they say would fund two new fire stations, replace a ladder truck and support response times as calls rise.
Mayor Emeritus Edwards and members of a 13-person, mayor-appointed Fire/EMS committee urged Bowling Green voters to support a proposed levy on Nov. 4 that would impose a 0.15% tax on earned income to fund fire and emergency medical services.
Edwards, speaking on behalf of the committee, said the group has met 10 times since Aug. 18 to review the levy’s implications and to study rising demand for emergency services. “It is projected in 2025 the demand for emergency services will surpass 4,000 calls,” he said.
The committee and Edwards said the levy would fund construction of two new fire stations in strategic parts of the city, allow the city to retain the West Side station without adding personnel, pay to replace an aging ladder truck and purchase other needed emergency equipment. Edwards said the proposal aims to enable responses within four minutes or less for nearly 90% of Bowling Green homes.
Edwards also cited the committee’s unanimous vote to recommend the levy on July 21, 2025, and said the committee would answer voter questions about the measure. He added remarks about the city’s nationally accredited police and fire divisions and called professionalism and training a priority.
No formal action on the levy was taken at the council meeting; the presentation was a public comment and informational appearance by committee members ahead of the Nov. 4 ballot. The levy text, spending plan and legal authorizing language were not read into the record during the public comment; details such as estimated annual revenue or the levy’s sunset/renewal provisions were not specified in the meeting transcript.
The discussion occurred during public comment rather than an agenda item. Committee members Scott Maine and Nadine (surname not specified in the record) were present and available to answer questions, the transcript shows.
Background: The committee described rising call volumes and said voters will decide on Nov. 4 whether to impose the 0.15% earned-income tax increase. The transcript did not include an independent financial analysis, estimated annual dollar yield, or specific ballot language beyond the tax rate and the programmatic uses described by speakers.
