Marion Township seeks levy renewal

FINDLAY — Voters who live in Marion Township will be asked to renew a levy that has funded fire services for 15 years when they go to the polls in May. The renewal benefits residents and businesses in Marion Township with services that include fire protection, hydrant maintenance, purchasing and maintaining firefighting vehicles, buildings, fire apparatus and related equipment, and all necessary appliances. "It's a renewal. It's not an increase," said Jeanie Ploeger, fiscal officer for the township. If approved, property owners will not pay more than what they already do. The rate would not exceed 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value which amounts to $26 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value for five years. The levy would start in 2025 and first be due in calendar year 2026. Ploeger said the levy was first introduced and approved by voters 15 years ago, during the 2020 primary election. This is the third time it's been voted on and approved by voters, she said. Marion Township sub-contracts for fire protection with Ohio 568 as the dividing line, she said. Residents who live north of the state route are serviced by the Washington Township Fire Department, while those who live south of the line are served by the Vanlue Fire Department. To save time, both departments have trucks housed in the fire annex garage bay located at the township house, according to the most recent newsletter. Ploeger, who has been elected as the fiscal officer 10 times, said one of the things she initiated about 20 years ago is an annual newsletter. "And every year after we got the levy, I have a section in the newsletter that says, 'Where did your money go?' And then I show exactly how much received and I show exactly how much was spent and what it was spent on. And I end up with a zero balance," she said. Each year then, the departments provide her with a written report of where the levy funds were spent which Ploeger runs in the newsletter along with the reports. The fire departments also provide pictures, she said. Last year the levy generated $116,905.86. Washington Township received $70,027.42, and the Vanlue department received $44,973.10. Auditor processing fees amounted to $1,905.32. In Washington Township, tax levy funds in 2024 were used to pay for extensive mechanical repairs to Engine #318 for a new clutch, new transfer case and a new pump. The remainder was used for general operations and updated training. The Vanlue department used its funds to replace an aging skid unit that had been in service for decades. The new unit contains a 225-gallon water tank, 10-gallon foam tank and a 250 PSI pump. The unit was installed in the back of grass truck #634. The apparatus is able to drive off pavement to easily access a fire when needed. "And I think it has contributed to the success of the levy not just renewed, but renewed with a nice sized majority," said Ploeger. "But you can't predict in this climate what the voters are going to do."