FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP — The Franklin Township Fire Department has only had one levy during Chief Randy Washburn’s tenure.
“I’ve been chief since 2011,” he said. “We used to have two levies but currently, we only have a 2.5-mill levy that’s been around as long as I can remember.”
The Franklin Township Fire Department is requesting an additional 2-mill levy this year. It would cost homeowners approximately $70 annually for each $100,000 in home value through 2028.
The fire department has a combined 38 firefighters between part-time and volunteers. Washburn said some staffers also volunteer to work other shifts.
The fire department covers Franklin Township, as well as parts of the Weller and Butler townships.
Washburn said the levy could generate an additional $183,000 if passed.
“This would help us with building upkeep, equipment and assist with payroll,” Washburn said. “These days, equipment and payroll costs are more expensive. It can cost $5,000 just to outfit a new employee.
“I appreciate the voters’ continued support of us so far and hope they pass this additional levy.”
Read the ballot language
An additional tax for the benefit of Franklin Township for providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire-alarm communications, for the payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs, that the county auditor estimates will collect $183,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 2 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $70 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.
