Orange Township’s longstanding fire levy will be up for renewal on next month’s ballot. The levy, which is on a three-year cycle, was first approved in 2013 and last renewed by township voters in 2021.
The levy contains no additional taxes and remains at a rate of 7 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $141 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value. Last year, voters approved an additional fire levy at a rate of 2 mills to further support fire and EMS services in the township as operations continue to become more expensive.
According to the ballot language for the renewal levy, the funds will be used for the purpose of “providing and maintaining fire apparatus, appliances, buildings or sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, or the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm telegraph, or 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 Ohio Revised Code, or the purchase of ambulance equipment, or the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company…”
Speaking with The Gazette, Orange Township Fire Chief Nathan McNeil said the cost of all aspects of the department continues to rise, diminishing how far each dollar can stretch.
“For example, about three years ago we bought the one truck that we did, and it was $1.2 million,” he said. “And now that same truck is about $1.7 million. That’s just a couple of years. The cost of everything has gone up, whether it’s fueling the trucks or equipment maintenance. Everything has increased.”
While inflation is being felt in department operations, it’s also being felt in the homes of those staffing it, underscoring the need for departments everywhere to stay competitive with employee pay and benefits in a metropolitan area not short on transfer opportunities.
“Especially living in the area where we do with Columbus (close), and with inflation and everything costing more, they’re seeking places that offer more money,” McNeil said of trying to retain employees. “It does definitely play into the retention aspect. We need to be competitive to keep good people.”
McNeil reiterated that the renewal won’t cost voters any additional money and stated the impact of the levy extends well beyond a dollar amount.
“It’s more than a financial decision,” he said. “It’s a commitment to the safety and resilience of our community. We want to invest in a stronger and safer future for all residents, and I think that’s one of the priorities, making sure those things are always there. With (levy funds) being our main source of revenue, that is what’s going to keep the department operationally functioning and keep our firefighters coming to work. This renewal is the largest part of our budget.”
As for his confidence in the levy being renewed, McNeil understands the financial strains everyone is facing but is confident the community will continue to reciprocate the support the department provides them.
“It’s a hard time for everybody,” McNeil said. “There is always concern when you talk about taxes, especially in our area with the schools. We’re a small fraction (of the taxes paid), but we’re a very important asset to the community to make sure that we when we get a phone call, they expect us to be there.
“And for us to be there, we have to have the funds to make sure we can pay people. Personnel costs are always the highest cost in any organization, and we have to make sure we have the firefighters to get on trucks in good repair and ready to serve the community … We have great support from the community and a great relationship with them. I don’t want to take anything for granted but do believe the community supports us. And the fact that there is no increase in the tax makes me sleep a little easier at night.”
Reach Dillon Davis at 740-413-0904. Follow him on X @DillonDavis56.
