Pike Township puts fire levy on Nov. ballot

8/4/2005

WINAMEG, Ohio - Voters in central Fulton County's Pike Township will be asked for a higher fire protection levy on the Nov. 8 ballot, in part because of the Ohio Turnpike Commission's proposal to build service plazas in the rural township.

Township trustees voted 2-0 Monday to ask voters to replace a 0.5-mill, five-year fire levy. Trustee Ted Howard was absent.

If approved, the replacement would increase the levy's collections to $16,200 a year, up from $13,700 now. For the owner of a $100,000 owner-occupied home, it would increase taxes $1.26 a year to $15.75, up from $14.49.

The township has contracts for fire and rescue services with Royalton Township to the north, York Township to the south, and the city of Wauseon to the southwest. Pike Township pays a percentage of Royalton and York's total annual fire and rescue expenses and its bill from Wauseon is based partly on how many calls the city handles in the township.

Trustees anticipate more fire and rescue calls in the township if the turnpike commission builds plazas there as expected, township Clerk Shirley Hamilton said.