Port Clinton council adopts emergency measure to put 3.9-mill fire and EMS levy before voters

The Port Clinton City Council on Jan. 27 adopted Resolution 26-1, a measure to submit a proposed 3.9-mill property tax levy to city voters to fund fire and emergency medical services apparatus, facilities, vehicles, supplies, capital improvements and personnel costs.

The council voted unanimously, 7–0, to retain the resolution’s emergency clause and then to adopt the resolution. The clerk was instructed to take the required steps to deliver the paperwork to the appropriate authorities so the question can be placed before the electors.

The resolution cites Ohio Revised Code procedures for submitting levies to the electorate and, as read aloud at the meeting, specifically referenced Ohio Revised Code section 5705.19 and related provisions governing levy submissions and employer contributions. The measure would fund full-time and part-time personnel as well as paid volunteer benefits listed in the resolution language.

Council discussion on the measure was brief during the meeting; no amendments were made on the floor. The recorded roll-call votes on both the emergency-clause motion and final adoption were unanimous. The clerk will execute the administrative steps required to advance the measure toward the ballot.

Next steps: adopting the resolution with an emergency clause directs city staff to proceed with the filings needed to place the measure before voters; the meeting record does not specify an election date. The council did not vote on a levy rate other than the 3.9 mills described in the resolution text read at the meeting.