The proposed levy is expected to cost property owners $131.25 more a year for every $100,000 in property value on their county bill, according to Warren County Auditor Matt Nolan.
“We ran a very informative campaign and told the community, ‘This is where we are,’” Fire Chief Steve Agenbroad said.
“They said resoundingly, ’We will support you.' It’s a good night.”
Property owners in these two communities are already paying 4 mills in property tax for these services on three existing levies supporting the Clearcreek Fire District.
The fire fund has not been boosted through a new tax levy since 2001, when voters approved an additional continuing 3.85-mills.
The district fire budget had been running at a $1.2 million a year deficit and reserve funds were expected to run out in 2022, according to Clearcreek Twp. Fiscal Officer Russell Carolus.
Agenbroad said the new money would be used to build a new station serving the northwest part of the district, add staff for the station and other needs, and a community paramedic position, as well as upgrade existing equipment and the existing three fire station buildings.
The new station would serve residents and businesses on both sides of Ohio 741, Main Street in Springboro, including the Dorothy Lane Marketplace and Settlers Walk planned community.
In addition, a new service would be provided by three community paramedics focused on response to non-emergency medical calls, which are about 70 percent of the calls the department receives, according to the fire district.
The levy is expected to carry the district for 15 years and help pay for improvements boosting the department’s rating with the Insurance Service Office. This should translate to lower insurance rates, especially for businesses, Agenbroad said.
Voters rejected a 2013 levy increase request.
Leading into election day, about 92,000 or 55 percent of Warren County voters had already cast their ballots, either in-person at the board office in Lebanon or by absentee ballot by mail or dropped in drop box, according to the Warren County Board of Elections.
These results are expected to change as more ballots are counted in Ohio through Nov. 18. We will continue to update these results as more ballots are counted.
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