JEFFERSON TWP — More than 1,000 voters in Jefferson Township saw a familiar issue on their ballot Tuesday.
Fifty-three percent of voters denied a fire levy replacement and increase for the Bellville-Jefferson Township Fire Department, according to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections.
The levy asked for a 6-mill operating levy to replace a 2-mill levy. Tuesday’s vote totals recorded 601 votes against the levy and 503 in favor of it.
Fifty-five percent of voters denied the same levy increase in November 2023, with 1,118 votes against and 917 in favor.
Fire Chief Zac Carlin said he was disappointed with the results but that the fire department will continue to operate as it does currently.
Carlin previously told Richland Source the last time the fire department asked taxpayers for an increase in funding was 2004. Since then, calls have increased by 85 percent; Carlin said the department responds to about 750 calls a year.
“The increase of the population of Bellville is growing pretty rapidly, resulting in more calls,” he said earlier this month. “Ultimately, it’s the safety of our community that we’re trying to look out for.”
Carlin said he’ll ask the township trustees to put a 2-mill renewal levy on the November ballot to secure the fire department’s regular funding.
“I understand that it’s a tough time for everybody, money’s tight,” he said. “We won’t be able to make any big purchases, but if we secure our regular funding in November, that should be enough to get by.”
The department is staffed 24 hours a day, made up of 15 part-time employees and eight volunteers. Carlin said more funding could result in quicker response times, as staff would always be available at the fire station instead of having to respond from their homes.
Jefferson Township trustees unanimously voted to put the measure on the March primary following last November’s results.
The levy increase would have cost homeowners $210 a year per $100,000 in property value if passed, with collection to begin in 2025 for a period of five years. The current 2-mill levy costs homeowners approximately $70 per $100,0000 — based on 2004 property values.
Troy & Cass Township cemetery levies pass
Also from Tuesday’s election results, 53% of Troy Township voters passed a cemetery levy replacement.
Wynn Kearns, vice chairman of the Lexington-Troy Township Union Cemetery Board, previously told Richland Source that the half-mill levy generates about $40,000 currently.
The replacement will measure current property values, costing about $17.5 annually per $100,000 in property value. Collection will start in 2025 for a period of five years.
Sixty-five percent of Cass Township voters passed a cemetery levy renewal. The levy was last passed in 2019 and won’t collect any new taxes. Collection of the renewal will begin in 2025.
It will cost approximately $35 annually per $100,000 in property value.
Cass Township trustee David Shepherd previously told Richland Source the levy helps the township maintain three cemeteries — Mount Hope, Old Salem and Bodley.
Butler road levy passes
Butler residents passed a five-year, 2-mill levy renewal on Tuesday for general construction, road and bridge repair.
The Richland County Board of Elections recorded 65% of voters in support of the levy and 35% against, according to final, unofficial vote totals. The levy costs about $70 annually for each $100,000 in property value.
Butler Mayor Wes Dingus estimated the levy generates about $25,000 for the village each year.
BP gas station Sunday sales initiative approved
Sixty-two percent of Mansfield voters in precinct 1-F approved Sunday sales for 2264 S. Main Street. The BP gas station can sell packaged beer, wine and mixed beverages.
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