Delhi trustees approve resolution to place 3.2-mill fire levy on May ballot

Delhi Township trustees on Jan. 28 adopted Resolution 2026-0006 to proceed with placing an additional property tax levy on the May ballot that the fire chief said is needed to sustain operations through 2027–2030.

The board dispensed with a second reading and approved the resolution by roll call. The measure, as presented to trustees, would place a 3.2-mill option before voters; the fire chief described that option as the balance between revenue needs and voter tolerance. The chief said the levy would generate roughly $2.3 million per year and allow the department to maintain 14 personnel per day while converting some part-time slots to full-time roles.

“Personnel cost being the driver, training is needs to be an investment,” the chief said, adding that the department has faced turnover, rising hospitalization costs and an aging fleet. He recommended the 3.2-mill option to cover operations through 2030.

Trustees asked about timing and duration. The chief said that if voters approve the levy in May, “the first draw from the auditor's office wouldn't come until 2027,” so the current 2026 budget would be completed under existing funding. Fiscal officer Mister Luby and trustees noted that personnel comprises the largest share of department budgets and expressed support for protecting response times.

The resolution was introduced during the meeting and the board voted to dispense with the second reading; roll-call responses recorded the trustees voting in favor, and the measure passed.

What happens next: the township will place the levy question on the May ballot for voter consideration; if approved, funds would begin to be distributed in 2027 and be used for personnel, training and equipment replacement over the four-year cycle described by the chief.