What Chief Placke told voters about the fire levy in North College Hill

At a North College Hill candidate forum, Fire Chief Placke outlined why the city is asking voters to renew Levy 6 — a five‑year, 12‑mill fire levy first approved in 2021. "This is not a new tax," Placke said, adding the levy "continues the same level of funding that continually supports your fire department." He described three primary functions of the levy: maintain full‑time firefighters/EMTs/paramedics, staff two advanced life‑support ambulances, and pay for station maintenance and critical equipment.

Placke listed operational outcomes linked to levy funding: hiring additional full‑time and part‑time personnel, replacing outdated equipment (including a new fire truck), an Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating of 2, and a 2024 Lexipol bronze training award. He cited workload statistics, saying the department saw a roughly 25% increase in total calls for service since 2021; the primary medic unit handled "over 2,000 calls" in 2024 and the primary fire unit roughly 558 calls. Those figures underline the department’s staffing and equipment needs, he said.

Placke emphasized that without the renewal the city’s general fund would struggle to sustain current service levels. "Renewing this levy allows us to maintain our full time firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics," he said. He encouraged voters to consult the city website for levy information and to vote in the upcoming election.

The forum did not include a formal presentation of projected levy revenue or an independent budget breakdown; the chief framed the levy as preserving capacity and noted improvements that he attributes to the existing levy’s funding.