Issue No. 7 — Coventry replacement fire levy
COVENTRY — On Nov. 6, Coventry voters will see Issue No. 7, a five-year, 2.25-mill replacement operating fire levy that would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $16.84 a year, or $1.40 a month, in property taxes.
According to the Summit County Fiscal Office, the current levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home about $52 annually. If passed, the replacement levy would bring in an additional $108,434, bringing the total to $582,657, according to Fiscal Officer Joni Murgatroyd.
This will be the second time voters will see the levy, since it was defeated with 55 percent of the vote in the May 8 Special Election. The replacement levy before voters is one of two operating levies for the fire department and provides additional support for salaries, benefits, vehicle and equipment repairs, training, building maintenance and operating costs, fire and EMS operating supplies, and gear and smaller capital equipment replacement, according to the fire department. It is used in conjunction with collections from the five-year, 4.65-mill levy, which runs through 2010.
According to the township, the department responds to more than 1,600 calls a year. In addition to responding to fires and emergency ambulance calls, department staff conducts inspections, offers educational programs in schools and has personnel trained to deal with underwater rescue, hazardous materials and other specialized areas.
If the levy fails, it would expire at the end of the year. According to Fire Chief David Calderone, it represents 30 percent of operating funds.
To read a previously published, more detailed story on the levy, visit www.akron.com and click on “South Side News Leader” under “Election ’07.”
— By Mike D’Agruma
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