Brown Township to Decide on Fire Levy Continuation May 6
Approval would align tax rates with Norwich Township and sustain emergency services.
Brown Township residents will be asked on the May 6 ballot to consider approval of a 5.2-mill property tax levy to continue providing fire suppression and EMS service from Norwich Township to the approximately 850 households in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Brown Township.
Norwich Township provides fire and EMS service to Brown Township and the service contract between the two townships requires that Brown Township has an effective millage rate that is “roughly equivalent” to Norwich Township, according to Brown Township Trustee Pam Sayre said.
In March 2024, Hilliard and Norwich Township voters approved a 4.9-mill fire levy, precipitating that Brown Township present a similar levy.
Brown Township trustees are to meet Sunday, Jan. 26 to consider a resolution accepting the rate, 5.2 mills, put forth by the Franklin County Auditor’s Office, and ordering the Franklin County Board of Elections place the issue on the ballot.
If approved, the 5.2-mill rate would increase the property tax of a Brown Township homeowner by $182 annually, per $100,000 in appraised property value, according to the Franklin County Auditor’s Office.
A brief history of the funding relationship
Brown Township last considered a fire levy in November 2014 when Brown Township voters approved a 5.12-mill levy.
According to final results from the Franklin County Board of Elections, Issue 34 as it appeared on the ballot Nov. 4, 2017, was approved with 765 votes in favor of the levy (70 percent) and 335 votes against (30 percent).
It was the third attempt at the levy after the same 5.12-mill failed by nine voters (343 votes for and 352 against) in May 2014. In November 2013, Brown Township voters rejected a 4.66-mill fire levy.
Hilliard and Norwich Township voters approved a 4.12-mill fire levy in May 2013, requiring Brown Township approve a matching levy, according to the contract.
After the failure of the first two levy attempts, Norwich Township indicated it would, in the event of the levy’s failure in November 2014, no longer provide fire and EMS service, and Brown Township looked at the possibility of contracting with a different fire department, but the third attempt at the fire levy passed and so the relationship now
enters a new era.
The county or state needs to do something. We need schools, fire and police but the overall output is getting ridiculous. I think my taxes have risen about $3000 in the past 6 years with this adding another $1100-1200.