Voters reject additional fire levy

Renewal levies pass

Sheffield Township voters rejected a 3.0-mill additional levy in the May 4 primary election aimed at expanding services for the Sheffield Township Fire Department.

With all four precincts reporting, the levy failed 75-62, according to final, unofficial results from the Lorain County Board of Elections.

Had voters approved the additional levy, it would have generated an extra $174,988 annually and enabled the Fire Department to be staffed 24 hours a day.

Currently, the Fire Department is staffed between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, by a twoperson crew, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

The levy would have come at a cost of $105 per $100,000 in residential property valuation, according the Lorain County Auditor’s Office.

The Fire Department utilizes a paging system to respond to calls after hours.

With the needs of the township expanding and calls for service increasing, the additional funding would have provided a boost, officials said.

The Sheffield Township Fire Department typically responds to between 1,300 and 1,500 calls annually.

According to recent data, firefighters had responded to 326 calls by early April, including 103 in the month of March.

Renewal levies

Sheffield Township voters approved three other renewal levies, according to unofficial results.

Two levies re-authorized current funding for existing services within the Fire Department.

A five-year, 2.25-mill current expense renewal levy for the Fire Department and EMS was approved by voters 88-51.

This levy is expected to generate $116,303 annually at a cost of $59.98 per year per $100,000 valuation.

The levy covers salaries for firefighters, paramedics and equipment.

A separate 2.50-mill EMS renewal levy passed 91-46, and will generate an estimated $130,880 annually.

It provides funding to pay the individuals who staff the station.

Voters also renewed a 0.35-mill current expenses levy for Sheffield Township 90-48, according to unofficial results.

The levy will continue to generate an estimated $12,874 annually at a cost of $6.22 per $100,000 in valuation.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Sheffield Township voters rejected a 3.0mill additional levy to enhance staffing at the Sheffield Township Fire Department, while approving renewal levies for existing fire and EMS services.