Why are there 2 separate levies on the ballot?
There are two separate ballot levies.
Operating levy: The renewal of the operating levy for 2.5 mills is used for the general fund to provide continuing basic services to Springcreek Township.
Fire, ambulance, and emergency medical services levy: Separately, there is a request for a new 4 mill levy to provide funds for the safety services provided by the city of Piqua fire department.
What is the purpose of the “operating” levy?
The operating levy provides the foundation funds to provide all of the basic Township services.
- Basic services
- Mowing for road ditches and cemeteries
- Drainage maintenance
- Road maintenance
- Snow removal
- Road salt
- Building maintenance and operations
- Funding for general governmental services
The levy is essential for the financial stability of Springcreek Township.
What is the purpose of the “fire ambulance and emergency medical services” levy?
Fire and EMS Service is a basic vital need for any thriving community.
The residents of Springcreek Township need access to the best safety services available in our local area.
Springcreek Township has contracted with the City of Piqua to provide Fire and EMS services.
- A majority of Springcreek residents requested continuation of the safety services provided by the Piqua Fire Department.
Other options were explored and determined to not be as effective as the services provided by the City of Piqua Fire Department.
The City of Piqua has been providing fire services to the Township for a number of years. What changed?
A State of Ohio audit of the City of Piqua finances “flagged” the general fund as being in a state of decline. Upon investigation by city officials, it was determined the city was subsidizing the Fire Department from the general fund. Further investigation uncovered the surrounding townships were “underpaying” for safety services.
2023 example of funds collected per resident for City of Piqua Fire Department services.
- – $314 collected for each City of Piqua resident
- $76 collected for each resident of Springcreek Township
Both communities are entitled to the same level of service but city residents were paying 4x as much for the same service.
Is the contract with the City of Piqua for fire and EMS services fair?
- The Piqua Fire Department services Springcreek Township, Washington Township, and the City of Piqua.
- Springcreek Township has 8% of the units (buildings) in the service area
- Springcreek Township has 9% of the residents in the service area
- The Springcreek Township contract is 6% of the total Piqua fire budget.
What percentage of property taxes are used for Township services?
When will the new levy be collected?
It will be included in the billing for the last half of 2024 and payable in 2025.
Renewal of Operating levy
How much will the renewing 2.5 mil levy increase my annual property taxes?
Zero. This is a renewal levy so there will be NO change in your tax bill for this levy.
New Fire, ambulance, and emergency medical services levy
How much will the 4 mil fire, ambulance, and emergency medical services levy increase my property taxes?
- $2.70 per week for every $100,000 of appraised value
- Most of the township residents are paying more per week for trash service
When was the last time we voted for a fire levy.
The township passed a 0.5 mil levy in 2000. This is a permanent levy covering the cost of the Fletcher Volunteer Fire department.