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Trustees approve resolution to place $4.0 million fire levy on ballot
Summary
Norwich Township trustees voted unanimously to declare intent to proceed with a $4.0 million fire levy, saying the measure would fund fire services through about 2020; trustees and the fire chief said layoffs would be necessary if voters reject the levy.
Trustees for Norwich Township voted Jan. 2, 2013, to declare their intent to place a fire levy question before voters that would raise an estimated $4.0 million, with the board recording the motion as #130102.03.
Chairman Larry Earman said the $4.0 million option would carry the township’s fire operations to roughly 2020 and warned that failure to pass a levy would force layoffs. "If the levy does not pass then layoffs are absolutely the answer," Earman said during the discussion. Trustee Charles Wm. Buck said the township had managed costs well but did not want to exceed $4.0 million; Trustee Timothy Roberts supported the $4.0 million option as it extended the levy duration relative to smaller alternatives.
Fire Chief Bob Kaufman told trustees the levy projections did not include reorganization costs for the department and assumed a three percent inflation factor. Trustees discussed a smaller $3.0 million option that would require another ballot earlier than 2020 but concluded the $4.0 million option reduced the risk of near-term staffing cuts.
The board approved a resolution declaring intent to proceed with the election on an additional tax "at the rate of four and twelve hundredths mills which will generate $4.0 million in additional revenue" and recorded the motion and unanimous vote (Buck-Yes, Earman-Yes, Roberts-Yes). That action sets the administrative process in motion to place the question on the ballot; the transcript notes the board also began identifying campaign leadership and outreach steps.
Next steps: the board’s formal resolution moves the levy to the election calendar and trustees indicated they would begin selecting a campaign chair and preparing voter information. No election date was specified in the meeting minutes beyond the motion to proceed.
