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Knox Twp. residents asked to renew fire levies

KNOX TOWNSHIP — Township residents are being asked to approve renewal levies for the Homeworth and North Georgetown fire districts on the November ballot.

Both levies are for 1.5 mills for five years and will not increase tax payments.

The Homeworth fire levy costs the owner of a $50,000 home $22.03 per year while a $100,000 is $44.05 per year. The North Georgetown fire levy costs the owner of a $50,000 home $20.57 per year while a $100,000 home is $ 41.13 per year.

According to Homeworth fire chief Brian Baker, the levy is one of two levies that provide 99 percent of the funds used to operate the fire department. The money is used for general operations such as training and equipment, he said.

The North Georgetown levy is also used for general operations, according to North Georgetown fire chief Ed Reichenbach.

Both departments also provide emergency medical response.

Reichenbach said the funds from the levies are necessary since the departments are volunteer.

“We want to serve the community as well as possible,” he said.

With the levy funds, the departments have been able to lower the ISO ratings, which are used by insurance companies to determine premiums.

“The levies are a good investment for the community,” Baker explained. “When the departments get better, residents see lower insurance premiums. We’ve been able to do a lot of good things, and that is what the levy money if for.”

Township Trustee Chair Gregg Carver said that he prefers to take an impartial stance regarding the fire department levies, but said that fire service requires a commitment from the residents.

“It is imperative for the residents of Knox Township, along with the members of the fire departments, to do what they feel is right for themselves,” he said. “The cost of having fire service is not cheap (and) all stakeholders (must) be accountable for their actions.”

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