Seven Ranges Joint Fire District Levy Facts?

 

What is the Seven Ranges Joint Fire District?
     The Seven Ranges Joint Fire District was established under Ohio law to better represent the citizens of the Village of Wintersville and Cross Creek Township in the provision of fire and emergency medical services. The district replaces the village and township as a taxing authority and the district is now responsible for the levying of taxes to provide emergency services.

 

Who serves on the Seven Ranges Joint Fire District Board of Directors?
     There are five representatives on the board.  Two are elected officials, one each from the village and township, while the other three are citizens who reside in the district.

What fire departments are a part of the Seven Ranges Joint Fire District?
     The same fire departments that have always served the village and township will continue to do so.  The village will be served by the Wintersville Fire & Rescue Department while the township will be served by Wintersville, Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department, Hillndale Volunteer Fire Department, New Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department, and Brilliant Volunteer Fire Department.

I see that the fire district has a levy on the November ballot.

Why does it say it’s an “additional tax”?
     Because there are existing levies in both Wintersville and Cross Creek Township, the levy language must read that way under Ohio law. Provided that the levy passes, all existing levies will be dissolved at the end of the current year and the new levy will go into effect in 2017.  There will be no double collection of taxes.

How many mils are being requested and how does that compare to other areas?
     The levy is for 6 mils.  There are currently 4 mils in place in both the village and the township, and again those levies will be dissolved if the 6 mil levy passes.  The Ohio Township Association considers the per capita or per person cost of providing fire and EMS protection as a measurement tool.  The current per capita rate being paid by residents of the district is $39.71.  Under the new levy the per capita rate will be $79.13.  According to the Ohio Township Association, the Ohio average per capita cost for fire protection is $83.00 for townships and $151.00 for municipalities.

 

How will passage of the Seven Ranges Joint Fire District

levy affect the services provided?
     All of the fire departments in the district will significantly improve their response to emergencies within the district. Each department will benefit by having the necessary funds to purchase needed equipment for providing fire protection and emergency medical services. Several departments will also use the funds to provide on duty staffing so that they can respond more quickly to emergencies in their areas. Wintersville Fire & Rescue will begin 24 hour staffing immediately if the levy is successful.

Will creation of the Seven Ranges Joint Fire District

affect fire insurance rates in any way?
     Yes. As a result of staffing changes, improvement in equipment, and increased response efforts among the five fire departments, the fire district board and the Fire Chiefs of the departments are confident that there will be improvements in the Insurance Service Offices ratings of each department within one year, thus resulting in lower fire insurance rates.