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VIENNA -- As time keeps ticking toward the May 6 primary election, the township's 3.5 mill fire levy remains a pressing matter for its fire officials.
The levy was initially proposed as part of the township's fiscal recovery plan that was adopted by trustees Dec. 16. The plan was put into effect Dec. 30 after the township's fiscal commission, which was created after the state auditor's Office placed Vienna in fiscal emergency in July after confirming the township was more than $1 million in debt, approved it 7-0.
The 3.5 mill levy, if passed, would replace two preexisting 1-mill levies from 2003 and 2006 and bring in $507,186 annually. The funds would support EMS staffing using part-time personnel and continuing maintenance expenses on the fire department's preexisting equipment.
The new cost per $100,000 home value would be an estimated $127 per year. It would be an estimated $77 increase from the preexisting levies.
Fire officials gave residents insight into their new normal at an informational meeting in March.
Mark Haddle, who serves as president of both the township's fire association and levy committee, warned that the levy not passing could affect the township's ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating -- a score assigned to a community's fire protection services based on factors like fire department capabilities, water supply, emergency communications and community risk reduction -- increasing, too, as a lower rating can lead to homeowner insurance rates decreasing.
"Our current rating is based on having staffing in that station; if they come and reevaluate we're not staffed, there is the potential; I can't guarantee it, but there is the potential homeowners' rates could go up," Haddle said in March.
Haddle told residents then that their mutual aid departments have been very supportive as they weather through their current situation, but warned that their patience was wearing thin and anticipated potential hard billing or a contract to provide EMS coverage to the whole township.
Fire Chief Gus Birch said Thursday that they haven't evaluated the potential cost of contracting with a nearby township as of yet.
"I can tell you that, for a private ambulance company coming here, they're not going to do it cheaper than what we think it's going to cost us because they're paying their people more money," Birch said. "They're full-time, their healthcare benefits -- all that kind of stuff; they definitely are not going to do it cheaper than what we could do it for."
"We'll have to do something; when you call 911, someone's gotta come. And these surrounding townships, they're not going to provide us with their ambulances, their staffing, and continue to absorb the cost," he continued. "They're still paying the maintenance and the fuel on their vehicles to come over here -- they're not going to put up with that."
Birch said he was appreciative of the nearby townships, which have helped Vienna's residents and their department "tremendously." He reiterated that he didn't know if that support would continue, however.
Birch said he didn't see any cons with the levy passing, as residents will be forced to call an ambulance from a farther distance and could end up paying more money, especially if those services choose to "hard bill." In this situation, individuals are billed and expected to pay the full amount, regardless of their insurance status or the ambulance provider's in-network status with their insurance.
Birch said residents could also feel it financially when the township's ISO ratings, which are updated every three to five years and haven't been recalculated yet.
"You have to pay for the service if you want the service, one way or another," Birch said. "You can take the cheaper route and pay your own township to provide you a service that can get to you faster than any of the surrounding townships -- as long as we have the staffing."
Birch reiterated once again that their points about retaining EMS services are not "scare tactics," citing his own experiences throughout his career.
"I was a paramedic for over 20 years; I know the difference between waiting three or four minutes for an ambulance and waiting 10 to 12 minutes for an ambulance," he said.
Birch said he "100%" understood residents were still frustrated about the township's current predicament, but emphasized the importance of moving forward.
"That's why I came back; we need to be able to get the service back up that we're paying for," Birch said. "You're paying for a service that you're not getting, and this will help bring back that service."
"The mistakes were made; people that are going to be held liable will be held liable -- you have to let the system run its course," he added. "The bottom line is, we need to move on."
Birch said people also needed to understand that they were under the state's eye now, so funds that are directed to the fire department have to go to it by law.
Haddle said they've received tons of support since March's informational session.
"Early voting has already started, so we're hopefully optimistic; we've seen, we've received a lot of support outside of the people that have questions and concerns," Haddle said. "And I understand their concerns wholeheartedly. I'm a taxpayer here, too, but I've also seen what happens when we don't have people available."
Fire officials plan to host another public information session about the levy 1 p.m. May 3.
Levy
Current levy cost (volunteer fire / EMS coverage)
• Home value $100,000
• Estimated yearly cost (two 1-mill levies + 1976 continuous $4 levy) $50.32
New replacement levy cost (volunteer fire with part-time EMS staff)
• Home value $100,000
• New yearly estimated cost (1976 continuous levy + 3.5 mill levy) $127.42
• Estimated increase per year $77.10
• Estimated increase per month $6.43