Portland council adopts five-year renewal of 1.9-mill fire levy, 6-0

The Portland City Council on Aug. 4 adopted Resolution 26-11, a five-year renewal of an existing 1.9-mill tax levy to fund fire department equipment, ambulance and rescue services, communications and the pay and employer contributions for firefighting and emergency medical personnel.

The presiding officer opened the special meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Linda Hart Chambers at Portland City Hall and said the measure was time-sensitive because of a Board of Elections deadline. The clerk read the resolution summary in full, which cites Sections 145.48 and 741.34 of the Ohio Revised Code as the statutory basis for employer contribution payments. The clerk summarized the ballot question as "a renewal of an existing 1.9 mil tax levy for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus ... for the payment of firefighter ... and emergency medical service" personnel.

A council member moved to waive the third required reading of the resolution; after a brief exchange confirming the proposal is a renewal (five years) and does not raise the current tax rate, the council voted to waive the third reading by a recorded vote. The council then moved to adopt Resolution 26-11; the clerk called the roll and recorded six "yes" votes and no opposing votes. The Chair stated, "Resolution 26 dash 11 is hereby adopted." (as read in the meeting.)

After adoption the Chair asked the clerk to ensure all materials were delivered to the Board of Elections; the clerk said they would do so at 8 a.m. The meeting adjourned with no further business.

The council's recorded roll call during the adoption listed: Beth Gilman (yes); Richard Morgan (yes); Carmen (transcribed alternately as 'Depp') (yes); Avery Robinson (yes); Kathy King (yes); and Jerry (surname variably transcribed) (yes). Pat Hovis was recorded earlier as excused.