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Lorain council approves 1.7-mil fire levy renewal, members stress it is a renewal not a new tax
Summary
Council passed a resolution declaring it necessary to levy a 1.7-mil property tax renewal to maintain current fire service levels; members emphasized safety, that the levy is a renewal rather than a tax increase, and planned community outreach/fundraising.
Lorain City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution declaring it necessary to levy a 1.7-mil renewal property tax to supplement the general fund for providing and maintaining fire services, apparatus and buildings in the city.
Sponsor Kenny Lewis identified himself as the legislation sponsor and described the levy as a renewal that preserves existing funding rather than creating a new tax. Councilmembers and the mayor spoke in support, citing recent significant fires and staffing history (one speaker said the city had laid off firefighters in prior years and had reduced capacity) and urging public support. Mayor Bradley said he reviewed the fire department’s 2025 spending and said it ran under budget compared with 2024, but said firefighters deserve continued funding to maintain service levels.
Councilmembers noted public outreach and fundraising events tied to the levy campaign, and one member detailed two recent significant fires and a recent death to underscore public-safety stakes. After discussion the council moved and approved the resolution unanimously.
Next steps: the resolution declares the necessity for the levy and sets the procedure for placing the renewal before voters (the meeting record does not include an election date).
