SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, ALLEN COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) - The Shawnee Township trustees narrowly approved a resolution sending proposed ballot language for a fire renewal levy to the Allen County Board of Elections.
The resolution passed 2-1, with trustees Kenny Gross and Paul Neff voting “yes” and Joe Recker voting “no.” The proposal calls for a five-year, 1.5-mill renewal levy for the Shawnee Township Fire Department. The levy was originally passed in November 2021. If renewed, the levy would generate approximately $552,000 in its first year. That amount would equal about $33 annually for every $100,000 of property valuation. Some residents who attended the meeting expressed uncertainty about placing the levy on the May ballot.
"Right now, the 1.5 mill renewal is being advanced on a timeline that feels rushed. When a decision of this magnitude moves too fast, it creates uncertainty instead of trust," says Jim Thompson who spoke with concerns about the Shawnee Fire levy.
With the renewal levy dating back to 2006, Fire Chief Austin Miller emphasized that tax rates would not increase.
"We have a levy coming up, a levy that is expiring this year. It was first came out in 2006; that's been renewed ever since. It's time to renew that again. Again, it's no new money. Your tax rate is not going to increase. It's just something that has been in effect since 2006, and it's time to move forward with that," says Chief Austin Miller, Shawnee Township Fire Department.
Pending certification, Shawnee Township voters would decide on the levy during the May 5 election.
