WELLER TOWNSHIP — Dale Hulit has served nearly four decades as a Weller Township trustee.
For about the past 20 years, he’s seen a property tax issue — first passed by township voters around 2004/2005 — be renewed. The issue generates funds to assist the township — which does not have its own fire department — with fire protection.
During the upcoming primary election, township voters will again decide the fate of the proposed renewal. As a renewal, the five-year, 3-mill property tax issue will not cost property owners additional money if approved May 6.
According to Richland County Auditor Pat Dropsey, the tax costs property owners approximately $57.71 annually — prior to any statutory deductions — per each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.
Hulit said the issue generated about $200,000 last year for the township of about 1,873 residents.
“It (the tax) has enabled us to put fire equipment in Weller Township,” he said.
If approved, the property tax issue would commence in 2026 and expire in 2030. Collection would start in 2027 and run through 2031.
For those interested, Dropsey said any property owner in Richland County can visit the county auditor’s website, complete a search for their property and click on the “Levies” tab to see any proposed levies for their area.
After following these steps, property owners can see what they’re currently paying annually for the tax(es), as well as what the proposed tax amount would cost.
These figures do not reflect potential tax credits, Dropsey said.
Tax issue helps purchase fire equipment
Weller Township contracts with the Franklin Township Fire Department for fire services.
The department is about five and a half miles — or roughly a 10-minute drive — from Weller Township.
Using funds generated through the property tax issue, Hulit said fire equipment has been purchased over the years to stay within the township, including a pumper tanker fire truck and a squad vehicle.
Having equipment and vehicles within the township has aided response times when firefighters are nearby to access them, Hulit said.
To see a full list of the candidates, questions and issues on the May 6 primary ballot, visit the Richland County Board of Elections website.
