MADISON TOWNSHIP — Madison Township voters will face three decisions on the Nov. 3 ballot involving fire and emergency services, road resurfacing and natural-gas aggregation.

The fire and road levy would bring new property taxes, while the natural-gas proposal would give trustees authority to negotiate a group gas-supply contract without raising taxes.

In previous Richland Source coverage, Trustee Tom Brandt said two new levies on the ballot would be met with some opposition.

Brandt and fellow trustees Dan Fletcher and Tom Craft said the township with 11,000-plus people needs new money for those areas after going years without additional funding.

Fire levy would fund current operations

The proposed 2.5-mill fire levy would generate about $542,715 annually and run for five years, with the first collection due in 2027. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $88 per year, or $7.33 per month.

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Funding from the property tax would cover fire and ambulance equipment, emergency medical services, firefighting and emergency medical personnel and other related costs.

Madison Township Fire Department currently has 15 full-time firefighters, 13 part-time firefighters, an administrative assistant and an acting chief. The department spent $2.79 million in 2024 and $2.74 million in 2025, according to Fletcher.

Fletcher said the levy would maintain the department’s current operations rather than fund an expansion.

“Unfortunately, just like in your household, all expenses are increasing,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher explains need for additional fire levy

Voters renewed a 4-mill levy in November 2025 that originally passed in 2005. Fletcher said the levy now brings in about 2.5 mills and did not increase funding when voters renewed it.

“I understand the current financial climate is affecting not only the residents, but also your Madison Fire Department,” he added. “We understand the appraisal update, and this is the smallest amount we feel is appropriate that would be tied to the new appraisals.”

He said replacing the existing fire levy would bring the entire levy up to the new appraisal costs, which is why the township chose to seek an additional levy instead.

“We have made cuts to everything we can and will continue to look for any cost savings possible,” he said. “This levy is not extravagant spending or projects. This is to continue providing our current level of services to the Madison community.”

If voters reject the levy, Fletcher said the department would continue providing fire and emergency medical response while trustees, the fiscal officer and the fire department discuss current and future operations.

“We have an amazing group of Firefighters/Paramedics and they will always figure out a way to accomplish tasks, no matter what the circumstances,” Fletcher said. “We will always provide the best patient care and fire/emergency response.”

He said trustees would consider putting the levy back on the ballot in May if it fails.

Road levy targets seven miles a year

The proposed 4-mill property tax road levy would generate about $868,345 each year and run for five years. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $140 annually, or $11.67 per month.

Township voters last approved new money for roads in 2011, according to trustees.

Madison Township has about 70 miles of roads. The township will resurface 2.927 miles in 2026 at a cost of $217,124.43, or about $74,179.85 per mile.

“This levy will allow the township to repave seven miles of roads and set the stage for all 70 miles to be resurfaced in a 10-year span before the cycle starts again,” Fletcher said.

Current road taxes have only allowed the township to repave 50 miles of roads in the last 14 years, according to Fletcher.

Township outlines road work under levy

The township would use the money for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repairs to streets, roads and bridges.

That work could include replacing cross pipes and aging culverts, road striping, berming the edges of roads and repairing road subsoil in certain areas.

Fletcher said they prioritize roads based on traffic and road-surface condition. The township currently paves about three miles of road each year, which would take about 23 years to cover every mile of township road.

“Asphalt has an average life span of 10 years,” he said. “If it [the levy] is rejected, not every mile of road could be paved over the next 10 years.”

The township’s longer roads include Stewart Road at 4.25 miles, Flemming Falls Road at 2.5 miles, McElroy Road at 2.1 miles, Beal Road at 1.75 miles, Grace Road at 1.6 miles, Piper Road at 1.5 miles and Hull Road at 1.4 miles.

Natural-gas aggregation would not raise taxes

The third issue on the ballot would ask voters whether Madison Township should have authority to aggregate retail natural-gas customers and enter into agreements for the sale and purchase of natural gas.

A “yes” vote would give trustees authority to create an opt-out aggregation program, Fletcher said.

“It is not a levy and it does not raise anyone’s taxes,” Fletcher said. “No property tax, no township dollars.”

Under the proposed program, the township could group residential and small-business customers and negotiate a gas-supply price on their behalf.

“The local gas utility would still own the lines, deliver the gas, read the meter, send the bill and answer any leak or emergency call,” Fletcher said. “None of that changes.”

He added the township is pursuing the authority because natural-gas prices can vary from one winter to the next and a group contract could give residents a known price for a set period.

“Trustees can only put this question to voters at an election, so Nov. 3 is the opportunity in front of us,” he said. 

A resident who does not want to participate would be able to opt out. Fletcher said eligible households would receive a letter explaining the process before the program began. Ohio’s Energy Choice website says customers usually have 14 to 21 days to respond to an opt-out notice.

“Doing nothing means you’re included,” Fletcher said. 

Residents already under contract with a retail gas supplier would not enter the initial group, although they could join later. Fletcher said households participating in the percentage of income payment plan (PIPP) would not qualify.

Township would seek gas supplier after a yes vote

Fletcher said opting out would not cost residents anything, and the township would seek terms allowing residents to leave without an early termination fee. Madison Township would make those terms public before signing an agreement.

The aggregation would not guarantee residents a lower rate, according to Fletcher. 

“Nobody can predict the gas market,” he said. “What aggregation offers is a known price for a known period of time.”

Residents could compare the program’s price with the utility’s standard rate and offers listed on the state’s “Apples to Apples” comparison chart.

If voters approve the measure, Fletcher said trustees would begin planning in late 2026 or early 2027 and evaluate suppliers and governmental aggregators.

“This is permission for the Trustees to go negotiate on behalf of residents who want to be a part of it, and to leave everyone else exactly where they are,” Fletcher said.

The township has not approached a supplier yet. Any supplier would need certification from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Fletcher said.

Ohio law would also require at least two public hearings on the aggregation plan before the program could take effect.

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