Port Clinton council unanimously adopts 3.9‑mill levy to fund fire and EMS

Port Clinton City Council on Jan. 27 adopted Resolution 26‑1, a measure to submit a new 3.9‑mill property tax levy to the city’s electors for fire and emergency medical services.

The resolution, introduced in third reading, was shepherded through the meeting by Council member Jerry Tarolli. Tarolli moved to retain the emergency clause, with Pat Hovis seconding; the voice roll call was recorded as seven yes votes and the motion carried. Tarolli then moved to adopt Resolution 26‑1, again seconded by Hovis, and the council adopted the measure by a 7‑0 vote.

The resolution cites Section 5705.19(I) of the Ohio Revised Code and describes levy proceeds for “providing and maintaining: fire and EMS apparatus, the fire station, emergency equipment, emergency vehicles, supplies and incidentals, communications, capital improvements, and for the payment of full‑time, part‑time, and paid volunteer personnel wages, benefits, and employer contribution required by Section 742.34” of the Ohio Revised Code. The document submitted to council also declared an emergency.

No public comment or alternate motions on the levy were recorded in the minutes. Because the measure is a levy submission, the next step is placement before the city’s electors per state law; the minutes record adoption and the retained emergency clause but do not specify an election date.

Council President Lisa Sarty presided over the meeting; the motions to retain the emergency clause and to adopt the resolution were made by Tarolli and seconded by Hovis. The clerk recorded the roll call results as unanimous.