MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Madison Township fire department levy replacement failed by about 300 votes according to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections.
A continuous levy last passed in 2000 based on 1999 home appraisal values, the levy currently generates about $680,000 for the fire department.
It has been collecting the same amount for 24 years. If passed, the levy would have collected taxes at current home appraisal values.
“We put this off as long as we could,” said Fire Chief Ken Justus. “Unfortunately, I’m probably going to have to cut back on staffing.”
Justus said in May that he wanted to generate additional income for the fire department to avoid operating in a deficit.
“While the levy did not pass, we will continue to provide the best possible service to our community,” Justus said in a statement posted to Facebook.
“We are disappointed. This levy would have afforded us the ability to maintain our service and grow with the community.
“Hopefully in the future, we can re-approach this topic and achieve success in securing additional funding to maintain our services as they are now.”
About 2,573 votes were recorded against the 5.5-mill levy replacement and 2,272 were cast for it, according to the Board of Elections.
The continuous levy will continue its collection at 1999 home appraisal values, which Justus said translates to about 3.17 mills in today’s property values.
The levy currently covers about 30% of department operating expenses and a replacement could have covered up to half, the chief said.
It costs homeowners approximately $111 annually on each $100,000 of property value. If the replacement passed, that cost would have increased by $82.
The fire department has three other levies for fire and EMS services that collect lower millage.
The levy funds can be used for payroll, fire equipment, buildings, utilities and other operating expenses.
