Reily Twp. voters to decide on 2.75-mill renewal fire, EMS levy

Reily Twp. officials are asking voters to OK a renewal of its 2.75-mill fire and EMS levy on Nov. 7.

The Journal-News asked the township about three things voters should know about its levy request. To learn more about the issues and candidates on the ballot this November, check out the Journal-News’ online Voters Guide at vote.Journal-News.com.

VOTER’S GUIDE: Find out what candidates in your community have to say about the issues

What is being asked?

Reily Twp. is asking for a 2.75- fire and EMS levy renewal for another five years. It will not raise taxes and will continue to cost the owner of a $100,000 home $79.17.

The department has a total of 34 volunteers, some who are just firefighters, some who are just medics and some who are cross-trained.

This is the 70th year of the fire department and the 19th year for the department’s EMS service. Prior to utilizing EMS volunteers, the township contracted that service out.

What will be done with the money?

The levy will pay for continuing maintenance of fire and EMS equipment, fuel, training of its all-volunteer department and replacing any equipment as needed.

“We’re required to take the same training as a paid department and we’re 100 percent volunteers,” said Reily Twp. Squad Lt. Nick Schwab.

The township will not have to worry about big purchases yet as the department just purchased a new tanker two years ago, and Reily Twp. Trustee Tim Miller said all of the equipment “is pretty well updated to what we need to protect the people.”

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Why they should vote for the levy?

The renewal levy fund the township for the next five years, which is the same cost as the previous one had been, said Miller.

He also said the township “needs it.”

The levy is estimated to raise $192,000 a year, according to the Butler County Auditor’s Office.

“We still have to provide the services,” Miller said, “but I hope (the funding) doesn’t go that way because we are still obligated to provide protection … but it won’t be what it is today.”

Reily Twp. has slightly more than 2,600 residents and its department was named the Ohio Volunteer Fire Department of the Year in 2013.

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