Sharon Township fire and EMS levy renewal would maintain operating funding

SHARON TWP. — Sharon Township voters will decide in November whether to renew a fire and EMS levy that primarily funds the department's day-to-day operating expenses. The 1.1-mill renewal would continue funding for five years beginning in 2026. The levy would cost an estimated $26 per year for every $100,000 of a home's county auditor's appraised value. Fire Chief Mike Stanec said the levy primarily pays for operating costs such as vehicle fuel, supplies and other expenses needed to keep the department running. A portion is also set aside for future capital expenses. "It's basically just to keep us running," Stanec said. The levy is part of the department's overall funding structure. Stanec said another levy approved by voters primarily covers employee salaries, although it does not cover all of the department's salary expenses. The levy on the November ballot is a renewal, meaning it would not increase the millage rate currently paid by taxpayers, Stanec said. The department also uses levy funding to plan ahead for major equipment purchases. Sharon Township typically replaces ambulances every 10 to 15 years and fire apparatus about every 20 years, although the actual replacement schedule can vary. Stanec said the department committed to purchasing a new fire apparatus several years ago and has been setting aside money for the purchase. The goal is to have enough capital funds available to pay cash for the vehicle when it arrives. The department's workload has increased in recent years. Stanec said Sharon Township handled about 777 calls in 2023 and 843 calls in 2025, an increase of about 8.5 percent over three years. He expects the department to approach 900 calls in 2026. About 70 percent of the department's calls are for EMS, with the remainder involving fires and other types of emergencies. Stanec attributed the increase to several factors, including township growth and an independent and assisted living facility that accounts for about 20 percent of the department's annual call volume. The facility has capacity for about 168 residents. State Route 18 also contributes to the department's workload, particularly through motor vehicle crashes. Sharon Township works with Granger Township through an automatic-aid arrangement on the highway, with both departments responding to incidents to provide additional personnel and equipment. The department also provides and receives mutual aid from neighboring communities, including Copley, Bath, Granger and Wadsworth. Sharon Township's fire and EMS department operates with part-time personnel rather than full-time staff. Stanec said the department has about 40 employees, each required to work at least 36 hours per month. That staffing structure allows the station to be staffed close to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but Stanec said occasional gaps can occur because employees work around their outside schedules. If the renewal fails, Stanec said the department would have to work with township trustees to determine how to adjust its operations to account for reduced revenue. He said revenue reductions could ultimately affect staffing and the level of service the department can provide.Contact Brooke Adams at 440-822-8373 or badams@medina-gazette.com.