Replacement levy would up money slightly for Eaton Township Fire Department

Issue 2 What it is: A 2.5-mill replacement levy Duration: Five years How much would it raise: $550,000 annually Purpose: Fire/EMS operations Cost to homeowner/taxpayer: The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $87.50 annually. EATON TWP. — Voters are being asked to approve a replacement levy that will allow the Fire Department to continue operating at its current level. The 2.5-mill, five-year levy has been renewed or replaced in the township for decades. In the early 1970s, the township did not run its own ambulance and services were provided by private companies. In 1977, voters approved a levy for the township to have its own ambulance, making one levy for the Fire Department and one for ambulance services. It continued until 1998 when the two levies were combined. Since then, the levy has been renewed or replaced every five years. The last replacement was in 2007. "We've been working on '07 money since then," Fire Chief Robert Resar said. "There aren't too many businesses or people still living on what they made in 2007." Additionally, in 2007, the department wasn't staffed full-time with firefighters working 12 hours Monday through Friday and nine hours on Saturdays and Sundays with the rest working on-call shifts. "Since '07, we've increased to 24 hours a day, seven days a week with two full-time firefighters and when ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funds became available we went to three full-time firefighters," Resar said. "But that money goes away at the end of 2023." And call volumes are going up. "In 2007, we had 510 calls and about 335 of those were EMS," he said. "In 2022, we had 959 calls with about 670 of those EMS. Call volume has almost doubled and EMS volume has more than doubled." The replacement does mean additional money to be paid by the taxpayer, but it is not a millage increase and is due to new construction within the township. Homeowners paying $66 per $100,000 valuation will see about a $22 increase annually, generating $550,000 for the township Fire Department. In addition to payroll, money from the levy goes toward vehicles, utilities, repairs, maintenance and supplies. "If it doesn't pass, we have a shot again in November," Resar said. "I like to think that the guys do an incredible job and that the township will value the services the guys provide. If not, we will have to do some soul searching to see what it is residents are looking for and what it is they want." While the economy may factor into resident's voting decisions this May, Resar said voters know what's at stake. "Right now, our guys are 2½ minutes out the door from the time they get the call and on call in another 4 or 5 minutes," he said. "If I'm having a heart attack, do I want to wait 12 minutes for someone to get there (if the department had to go back to volunteer-only shifts), or do I want someone there in 6 minutes?" Resar does not recall a time when the fire levy has failed, stating it receives incredible support from the township. "Normally, we are looking at 60 to 65 percent passage," he said. "I like to think we are trying to be good stewards. The guys do an awesome job and are well worth the money." — Christina Jolliffe