SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP — Springfield Township and Ontario voters will decide the fate of two fire levy renewals this election season.
The levies, a combined 3.5-mill property tax, generate about $1 million per year for the Springfield Township Fire Department fire and emergency medical services.
Springfield Township trustee chair Paul Gleisinger said the 1.5-mill and 2-mill levy alike were first passed ten years ago. The levies supplement fire department operating costs, payroll, building maintenance, utilities and other expenses.
“Inflation and the retention of firefighters has increased the operating costs, which makes the need for these levies to be renewed very important,” Gleisinger said.
“The township would like to maintain and keep the level of EMS and fire protection that it has always provided the residents of Springfield Township and the City of Ontario.”
The 2-mill levy will cost homeowners about $70 for each $100,000 of property value, according to 2014 appraisal values.
The 1.5-mill levy collects about $52.50 for each $100,000 of property value.
“The two levies are renewals, which means they will not increase taxes paid by the residents,” Gleisinger said.
If passed, the levies would continue collection at their current rate beginning in 2025 for a five-year period.
The Springfield Township Fire Department is made up of two fire stations that work together to serve the township, City of Ontario and commercial areas.
Station number one is located at 3700 Park Avenue and serves the western side of Ontario and Springfield. Station number two is located at 400 South Lexington Springmill Road.
