BATH TOWNSHIP – The Bath Township Fire Levy Committee kicked off its tax levy renewal campaign Sept. 16 by unveiling the new campaign signs the committee purchased with monetary donations from eight local supporters.
Township Trustee Steve Ross, who designed the two-sided, corrugated yard signs, said the signs primarily consist of the basic information that he hopes will win voters’ support.
He pointed out that the proposed tax levy, which will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot as Issue 1, is a renewal of the current 5-year, 7-mills fire levy that expires at the end of this year. If approved, the fire levy would commence in 2020 and continue to generate an estimated $634,000 a year. Taxpayers would continue to pay a total tax rate of approximately $212.87 annually or $17.74 monthly per $100,000 of taxable property value.
“This is a levy renewal which means no new taxes,” Ross noted.
According to Township Fiscal Officer Elaine Brown, the township received $427.74 in contributions that the committee used to purchase 100 campaign signs. Brown also noted that she filed a Designation of Treasurer form with the Greene County Board of Elections before receiving the donations or making any expenditures.
The township first placed the five-year, 7-mills fire levy on the ballot in November 2009, and a levy renewal before voters in November 2014. Currently, 100 percent of the annual budget allocated for fire protection and emergency medical services comes from the fire levy.
Ross noted that the township trustees have made a genuine effort throughout the years to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and have worked well with the budget they have been given.
“As I approach the end of my term as Bath Township trustee, I have come to realize just how important this issue has been for me,” Ross said. “I want to help provide the best possible services and protection for the citizens in the township.”
Ross also expressed his appreciation to the Beavercreek Township Fire Department and Miami Township Fire and Rescue in Greene County and Bethel Township Fire Department in Clark Count for “stepping up to the plate” and providing fire and EMS coverage to Bath Township since Jan. 1 this year.
“These fire departments and their chiefs bend over backwards to supply our township with the best fire protection and emergency medical services possible,” Ross said. “The board of trustees are looking forward to working with these fire chiefs in the future and making things even bigger and better.”
Local supporters of the fire levy renewal are encouraged to stop by the township office, located at 1006 Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road in Fairborn, and pick up campaign signs to display in their neighborhoods. Office hours are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“The board of trustees are grateful to the voters in Bath Township who have supported the fire levy throughout the years, and we are asking voters to renew the five-year levy when they cast their ballots in November,” said Ross.
The Bath Township Board of Trustees will meet again in regular session at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the township office. The meeting is open to the public.
