Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance director outlines possible EMS and fire tax increases during budget planning
Summary
Dr. Miller told the board a 0.5‑mill EMS tax could generate roughly $966,954 and a 0.5‑mill increase to the fire tax would similarly generate about $966,984, together raising township real estate tax from 4 mills to 5 mills; commissioners discussed ordinance and timing implications.
As township staff begin budget planning, Dr. Miller presented options that included establishing an EMS tax and increasing the fire tax to support equipment, personnel and capital needs.
Dr. Miller said, “The maximum tax that could be done is 0.5 of a mill. With that 0.5 a mill, it would generate approximately $966,954.” He explained that moving EMS into its own fund would separate EMS revenues and expenditures from the general fund and that the township’s 3rd‑party billing last year produced $1,724,640 against roughly $1,600,000 in expenditures, excluding a new ambulance lease payment. Commissioners asked how much the change would affect typical households; one commissioner noted that on a median assessed value of $175,000 the combined increases would amount to roughly $15 a month.
Commissioners discussed that any change in the fire tax proportions (currently split 75% operations / 25% capital) would require an ordinance and that township mills are distinct from county and school taxes. Dr. Miller said the finance committee will continue analysis and that any ordinance or final proposal would need to be submitted to the county before year end to be included in billing.
