Granville Township trustees send 2.0-mill fire levy to May ballot

GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP — For the first time since 2005, Granville Township is placing a fire levy before voters.

Township trustees unanimously approved sending a 2.0 mill fire levy to the May 3 ballot during their Jan. 26 meeting.

After previously asking the Licking County Auditor’s office for certified millage rates at 2.0, 2.25 and 2.5 mills, Trustees Bryn Bird, Rob Schaadt and Dan Van Ness had a in-depth discussion about which rate was appropriate. Schaadt and Van Ness were in favor of 2.0 while Bird preferred 2.25 mills.

With growth and development coming to the area as a result of Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing facility in Jersey Township, Van Ness said he anticipates real estate values increasing.

“I’d kind of like to just take what we need to run a good ship and then make it last for five or six years and then coming back,” Van Ness said.

Bird said she was concerned levies would be needed to fund schools or other public services as a result of additional development. She said she didn’t want the township to need an additional fire levy in five to six years and be on the ballot at the same time as another entity.

At 2.0 mills, property owners will pay $70 more annually per $100,000 home value, generating $854,697.92 for the fire department each year.

Based on budgeting and projects, Granville Township Fire Chief Casey Curtis said a 2.0 mills levy would fund the department through 2029. Curtis said previously the fire department will run out of money by 2024 if the township doesn’t act.

His projections, he told trustees, also factor in adding an additional full-time firefighter because the township has struggled to get part time employees.

But Van Ness said if the department receives grants to fund positions or gets a paid contract again with Union Township, the money from the 2.0 mills levy could last longer than 2029.

Schaadt is hoping that is the case and said he hopes that through continuing to budget well, the fire department can get 10 years of funding before considering going back to the ballot.

Van Ness said he wasn’t concerned about possibly returning to the ballot sooner as a result of placing a lower millage levy on the ballot now.

“If we show we’re responsible and we have to go back to them, I don’t think it’s going to be an issue as long as we do a good job and I think not asking for more than what we need shows the people that we’re responsible too,” he said. mdevito@gannett.com 740-607-2175

Twitter: @Mariadevito13