Recent town hall recording: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/pkLVmGBW1RVDoNwb/
The Township has three levies which raise revenue for Fire & Rescue operations from taxes based upon the value of real estate at the time the levy first was approved by voters. As real estate values increase over the life of the levy, the tax rate effectively is reduced so that the levy generates only approximately the same amount of money as it did in the year the levy first was approved.
While both the value of real estate and the cost of providing safe, efficient, and effective fire and rescue services have gone up, the amount of revenue collected for Fire & Rescue operations has remained constant. The Township's property tax funding stays relatively flat while our expenses grow.
We face rising costs to recruit and retain quality personnel and lifesaving equipment and medicine is up 500%. We expect to exhaust the fund reserves in 2025.
No. Homes are taxed at 35% of their assessed value.
Explanations
Property Tax? – This is a tax on property. This is used for all three types of levies. Even though renters don’t pay property taxes, their rent may go up to pay for the property owner’s increase in taxes.
How does it work? - Payment is established as a “mill.” A mill is one-tenth of one percent. For every $1000 of property value, a property owner pays $1. Homes are taxed at 35% of their value. So if someone lived in a home valued at $100,000, they would pay taxes on $35,000, which is 35% of the value.
Discounts? - The state gives homeowners a 12.5% discount on their property taxes and then reimburses that amount to the school system. This is called a State Rollback. Seniors that qualify for the Homestead Exemption will have further discounts and reductions. See State of Ohio Homestead Exemptions - FAQs.
The median value of owner-occupied housing units in Springfield Township, Lucas County, Ohio is $226,800
$227,000 home
x 35% of value
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$79,450 taxable amount
x 0.001 1 Mill Levy
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$79.45 Subtotal
- $9.93 12.5 state discount for homeowners
$69.52 paid annually for a 1MILL levy on a $227,000 home OR $5.79/month
($139.04 paid annually for a 2Mill levy on a $227,000 home)
Visit How Property Taxes are Calculated | Lucas County, OH - Official Website.
Springfield Township Fire & Rescue exists to provide life and property saving services to the people who live in or visit the township. Their mission is to respond rapidly to calls with the best people and state-of-the-art equipment and medication.
A2: The department currently has three fire levies. A 2.5 Mill levy is due for renewal this November.
In addition to renewing the existing 2.5 Mill levy, the trustees are requesting an additional 3.5 mills.
By Ohio law, the amount of revenue collected has remained relatively constant since the levies were enacted. This has led to financial stress on the department.
It has been 11 years since the last new money was voted in for the Fire & Rescue department.
Without additional funding, the department expects to exhaust its reserves by 2025. This would lead to cuts in spending, potentially including reducing the workforce, deferring vital equipment purchases, and eliminating fire prevention programs and the HERO program.
The main cost drivers are:
1. Personnel: Ensuring the right number of well-trained staff
2. Equipment: Maintaining state-of-the-art equipment and medications
3. General inflation affecting all aspects of operations
The most important part of a fire/EMS service is its people. The department has invested in ensuring they have the right number of people and in retaining skilled staff.
The cost for state-of-the-art equipment and medications is rising at levels well above normal inflation. This equipment is crucial for providing effective emergency services.
In the coming years, the department needs to invest in:
- Replacing an aging fire engine
- Updating cardiac monitors
- Needed improvements to fire/EMS facilities
Given the current fund balance, these necessary investments cannot be made without additional funding.
The 2.5 Mill levy renewal will be on the ballot this November. The additional 3.5 mills request will be included in the same ballot measure, which is Issue 17. Early voting is underway.
For more detailed information, you can contact the Springfield Township Fire & Rescue department directly or attend our Town Hall meeting on October 30, 6 pm at Station 51 on McCord.
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