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Wayne Township fire chief urges voters to back 2-mill staffing levy
Summary
Chief Beckett told Waynesville council the proposed Issue 21 is a 2-mill fire-staffing levy based on 2024 property values that would raise about $708,500 and fund six full-time hires plus two part-timers; he said the township is seeking a SAFER grant to supplement staffing.
Chief Beckett of the Wayne Township Fire Department appeared during visitor comments to describe Issue 21, a proposed 2-mill levy that the township says is needed to fund staffing.
Beckett explained the levy would be based on 2024 property values rather than the revaluation scheduled for 2025 and estimated revenue of approximately $708,500. He gave an example: "a $350K home with an assessed value of $122,500 would cost the property owner an additional $245.00 a year, which comes out to be about $20.40 a month or $.60 a day." He said the levy would fund two people on staff 24 hours a day and that the township plans to hire six full-time employees and supplement them with two part-time employees. Beckett added the township is applying for a SAFER Grant and has contracted Lexipol (cost $4,800) to help prepare the grant application; he said the application success rate is about 82%.
Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the additional levies would remain in place and whether township and village residents both pay; Beckett confirmed the other levies would remain and that township and village residents both pay. Mrs. Miller expressed support for the levy because of concerns about volunteer availability and emergency response coverage.
