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2006 Fire Levy Information
On Tuesday, November 7 the voters of Miami Township had an opportunity to approve a 3.65-mill five-year replacement levy to fund operations of the Division of Fire/EMS and they chose to do so.
The levy will generate approximately $2,395,186 – an increase of approximately $663,969 over the current funding level. The increase in the replacement levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 property approximately $38.00 a year.
Fire Levy
How will the money be used?
Growing demand for services
How Township levies work
How replacement levies work
Personal Protective Equipment Cost
Apparatus Cost
Providing Emergency Medical Services-and more
Fire Levy
The Division of Fire/EMS is currently funding by two limited term levies: a 3.0-mill that was approved in 2001[which is on the ballot this November with a .65 increase] and a 3.5-mill levy that was approved in 2004.
Combined these two levies generate approximately $4,581,000 dedicated to operating the Division. The Division sought a .65-mill increase to the previous 3-mill levy as a result of increased costs of providing fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, and emergency medical services.
How will the money be used?
Over the last four years the Division has been replacing an aging and deteriorating fleet of emergency vehicles. In the last several years the Division has implemented a long-range vehicle replacement program that utilizes a vehicle life cycle thus enabling the Division to plan replacement intervals for emergency vehicles and distributing the expense of these replacements over several years thus minimizing the financial impact on the operating budget. Since 2003 the Division has replaced one fire engine, one aerial-ladder, three paramedic units, and four command and staff vehicles.
The Division has completed a facility master plan to address the aging infrastructure of the four existing fire stations which were built between 1953 and 1970, when the Division relied primarily on volunteer personnel responding from their homes or places of business. The Division continues to work with the Township Administrator and the Board of Trustees towards the implementation of the facilities master plan, which includes the renovation and/or replacement of the aging facilities.
The Division now staffs three of the four stations around the clock with firefighter/paramedics in stations that were not designed to house personnel. The current facilities lack the necessary locker room, shower, bathroom, and dormitory facilities to properly accommodate staff members. In addition the facilities lack fire suppression & detection systems and are not designed to accommodate the newer emergency vehicles, which are taller, wider, and considerably heavier than older vehicles.
Over the last four years the Division has been diligent in implementing a staffing plan that facilitates a safe staffing level for the delivery of fire suppression, emergency medical services, and public education/fire prevention services. Like many other government and private employers the Division of Fire/EMS has felt the financial impact of escalating costs to health insurance, pension plan contributions, and Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. Over the last six years the cost of providing health insurance to employees has increased approximately 56%.
Growing demand for services
The Miami Township Division of Fire/EMS continues to see an increase in requests for service. In 2005 the Division answered 3,810 calls for service compared to 2,261 in 1996. It is an increase of 68.5% increase in requests for service over a ten year period. Over the last five years the Division has experienced a 26.7% increase in request for service. The Division has forecasted a 15.78% increase in requests for service over the next five years.
The Division of Fire/EMS continues to expand its role within the community in an effort to increase safety for our residents, corporate citizens, and visitors to our community. The Division continues to provide traditional fire suppression and emergency medical services as well as an increased level of fire prevention and public education programs for family residences, daycare facilities, assisted living facilities, as well as businesses within the Township.
The passage of the fire levy, with the .65-mill increase, will enable the Division of Fire/EMS to continue to enhance its service delivery capabilities thus facilitating a safer community.
How Township levies work
Townships are required to return to voters on a regular basis when limited-term property tax levies are due to expire. This enables the taxpayer to have a voice in local government, because residents—through their vote—determine the level and quality of service provided. This process also helps ensure that township government and the services it provides meet the needs of its residents.
Under Ohio law, the amount of money a property tax collects from real estate cannot increase beyond the amount collected in the first year. Because of this cap, levies do not keep up with inflation, and do not allow townships to receive an ongoing benefit from new construction. As a result, townships may need to return to their residents for additional revenues.
Replacement levies enable townships to capitalize on the current valuation of all property, including new development—which, in turn, generates additional revenue.
How replacement levies work
Replacement levies do not increase the property tax millage paid by voters. Most homeowners will see their taxes increase slightly, however, because of these Ohio property tax law provisions:
- Valuation: Replacement levies tax the current valuation of each property, which typically is greater than it was five years ago when the previous levy was approved.
This places a limit on the amount of money a township can receive from a levy. After a levy is passed, new homes and commercial establishments continue to be constructed. As the township’s total tax valuation increases, a reduction factor is applied, which causes each property owner’s fire levy tax to decline.
The amount of property tax residents will pay for the fire levy will be based on the most recent appraised value of their home. Because of Miami Township’s continued growth, residents will see a slight decrease with each subsequent year because of the reduction factor,
Don't forget:
Registered voters must now bring a government issued ID to the polls on Election Day:
Drivers License
Military ID
Copy of current Utility Bill
Bank Statement
Paycheck Etc.
Voting information in Montgomery County can be obtained by using the following link:
http://www.mcboe.org/
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