Why do we need the levy now?
What if the levy doesn’t pass?
What will it cost me?
When will the levy start, when will I see it collected?
What will be done with this levy money?
How long will the levy last?
How much is needed for the levy?
What has been done with the money from the last levy?
Why did the Township build a new administration building?
Why did we need a new fire engine?
Why don’t the trustees use the surplus funds in the General Fund for Safety Services?
Explain Fund restrictions.
Why do we need the levy now?
Our revenues for each department stay relatively flat every year, while our expenses continue to escalate. Today, safety services expenses exceed income resulting in a deficit. The growth of population, operational costs, supplies, fuel, and increasing call volume are the reasons for the current crisis.
Press play to listen to Chief Snyder explain why the Police Department needs the Levy now...
Press play to listen to Chief Murphy explain why the Fire/EMS needs the Levy now...
What if the levy doesn’t pass?
The Police Department will be forced to lay off full time police officers just to get to a balanced budget, probably a third in short time just to start replacing worn out cruisers and covering other rising expenses that are out of our control.
Press play to listen to Chief Snyder explain the impact on the police department if the levy does not pass...
Fire Department- Cuts will have to be made in both personnel and resources. This would lead to greater response time to emergencies, and waiting for neighboring departments to respond to YOUR EMERGENCY.
Press play to listen to Chief Murphy explain the impact on the fire and EMS departments if the levy does not pass...
What will it cost me?
This will cost 38 to 43 cents per day for a home with a value of $100,000. The amount can vary depending on Homestead and Rollback participation.
When will the levy start, when will I see it collected?
Monies will be collected starting January 1, 2009.
What will be done with this levy money?
Most importantly, it will balance the budget and prevent any layoffs. Additionally, it
will be used to add equipment and personnel for the Fire, EMS, and Police Departments.
The Police Department will be able to add two full time police officers which will provide for two officers on each dayshift. To take an even more aggressive stand on illegal drug use and sales in our community, the department will add an officer for narcotics investigations.
The Fire Department will use the funding to make repairs to an aging building, over time replace an aging fleet, replace worn out equipment, add personnel and make salaries more competitive to reduce turn-over.
Press play to hear Chief Murphy explain what the levy will do for the fire and EMS departments...
How long will the levy last?
The levy will be a continuing levy.
How much is needed for the levy?
4.5 mills which will generate approximately $1,082,000 per year.
What has been done with the money from the last levy?
The Police Department hired two full time officers, replaced several worn out patrol cars, and established an additional Detective position in the agency.
The Fire/EMS Department used the funding for general operations and new equipment.
Why did the Township build a new administration building?
The Police Department and Township Administration had outgrown our previous building, which was nothing more than a pole barn. A previous board of trustees made the decision to build based on a desperate need for space. The new building presents the appropriate, professional image of the township and is centrally located for convenience to township residents and provides for the fastest response time for officers from the police department. Great care was taken in planning the new building to ensure that it will last many years.
Why did we need a new fire engine?
The fire service has rules placed upon it by the Insurance Services Orig. This agency helps set the rates that you pay as a home owner. One of their regulations is in the area of the age of the first responding engine which can not be older than 20 years. Recently, our engine reached its age limit so it was necessary to replace it. The new engine is technologically advanced and carries a varied compliment of equipment to handle any emergency that might arise.
Why don’t the trustees use the surplus funds in the General Fund for Safety Services?
Trustees, as a rule of thumb, should keep an unencumbered balance of at least 25% of their annual budget in the bank at all times. The optimal amount is 50%. There is a great deal of other projects the trustees should be spending their general fund revenue on besides supporting the safety services. If residents actually want adequate safety services, they can do so by providing the needed financial assistance in the form of safety services levies.
Press play to hear Chief Snyder explain general fund reserves...
Explain Fund restrictions.
Within our Government Entity, all the monies are in a primary checking account. Within our accounting software, all the monies are separated by accounts (fund numbers) for specific use. For example, there is a General Fund and the money can be used at the discretion of the trustees. There are funds for the Police Department, but that money can only be used for the Police Department. There are funds for Fire and EMS, and that money can only be used for Fire and EMS expenditures. This is true for the Service Department, Community and Economic Development, etc. This is dictated by the State of Ohio and we are audited regularly to ensure we follow these guidelines.
