North College Hill forum spotlights two renewal levies and candidate plans for transparency, safety and streets

A candidate forum in North College Hill on Dec. 22 focused on two renewal levies on the ballot and gave residents a chance to compare how city leaders would handle transparency, public safety and basic services.

Fire Chief Placke told the audience the ballot includes Levy 6, a five‑year renewal of a 12‑mill fire levy originally approved in 2021. "This is not a new tax," Placke said. He described the levy as funding full‑time firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, staffing two advanced‑life‑support ambulances and paying for station maintenance and equipment. Placke credited the levy with allowing the department to raise staffing and operational capacity, noting an Insurance Service Office rating of 2 and a 2024 Lexipol bronze training award. He also cited service volumes: a roughly 25% increase in total calls for service since 2021, the primary medic…