Welcome to Responsible Genoa Twp
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May 6, 2025 Fire Levy
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November 8, 2024, Update.
Voters rejected the 2.4 times cost levy because it was a bad levy. And it was based on a bad plan. Thanks for letting us put a spotlight on the facts and perhaps make them more visible for you.
Now the challenging work begins. The Genoa Twp elected officials and fire department leadership can go many directions now, but we think they will successfully address your and our concerns through a process that includes:
Openly research and seek a good business plan and budget plan. Involve trained, successful businesspeople to complement the capabilities of our trained, successful firefighter/paramedics to cooperatively create such a plan. Develop metrics which measure fire/EMS effectiveness to help generate future improvement ideas. Plan to develop communications and partnerships to decrease or at least stem the growth in dispatches.
Then create a responsible levy proposal to be presented to the voters in 2025.
Vote NO on proposed Fire Levy. Demand a better plan and Levy. Here is what is going on.
Genoa Twp has proposed a levy on the November 2024 election for "An additional tax ... $245 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for a continuing period of time...".
see FAQ for full text of proposal
This levy essentially replaces the current 5.3 mill levy, which costs homeowners $101.64 per $100k, with a 7.0 mill levy that would cost homeowner $245.00 per $100k,
2.4 times what we currently pay.
see FAQ for "How going from 5.3 mill levy to 7.0 mill levy causes homeowners to pay 2.4 times current tax."
Genoa Twp Elected Officials have put a second attempt at a Fire Levy on the ballot for May 6, 2025. Here is what we know and grade as of March 6, 2025.
Nov 2024 May 2025
Operating business plan and budget plan F F
Metrics to measure effectiveness and generate F F
future improvement ideas
Communications and Partnerships to help our safety C C
Create a responsible levy F C-
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Levy comparison:
Increase for homeowners 2.4x 1.8x
Increase for businesses 2.4x 2.0x
Retention of our state fund No(F) Yes(A)
Term Forever 5 years
We want and welcome factual information from Township Officials or others which would affect or correct our analysis.
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2.4 times our current tax to maintain current services is overreaching.
Give Genoa Elected Officials a second chance to plan and create a proper levy.
Vote NO Genoa Twp Fire EMS $245/$100k Levy
What are the problems?
Levy is Too Much Money for Too Long a Time
2.4 Times the Current Levy Cost per year for Homeowners
Gives up $625,000 per year of state tax credits that currently are paid by the State to Genoa Fire.
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Forever - a continuous levy never to be reconsidered by voters
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Vote NO on the proposed levy. 2.4 times your current tax to maintain current services is overreaching.
Give Genoa Elected Officials a second chance to plan and create a proper levy.
What to expect and do after defeating the proposed Levy
Continued excellent services in 2025. The department will begin 2025 with $2-3 million in reserve funds. They will receive $5.4 million from the existing levy and collect other revenue of $200 to 300 thousand not counting grants. In 2023 the operating cost was under $7 million. There is no new equipment that must be ordered in 2025. Some belt tightening may be necessary.
A new levy proposal in 2025 for operating expenses, rebuilding the operating reserve, and building up the fund for future replacement equipment.
We must demand that our elected officials develop a responsible plan for our Fire/EMS needs and create a levy that retains the $625,000 state funding source, and has periodic review and appropriate adjustment with voter approval.
Ask elected officials and Chief for measures of the cost and results comparing our Fire/EMS with other Fire Departments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How going from 5.3 mill levy to 7.0 mill levy leads homeowners to pay 2.4 times current taxes?
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5.3 mills is like a "name" for the current levy. It's labeled millage is 5.3 mills but the effective millage is 3.265 mills, so the increase starts by being a jump from 3.265 mills to 7 mills. In addition the state provides two credits to homeowners. Together, these two factors mean that homeowners currently pay $101.64 per $100k of Market Value. The proposed levy has a 7 mill effective rate, foregoes (ie we will not get) the homeowner state credits, and will be $245 per $100k.
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What does 'giving up $625,000 of state credits mean?​
If the existing levy were renewed the credits would remain for 2025 and future years, per current law (see FAQ State Credits of...). The proposed levy does not qualify for the state credits.
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State Credits of $625,000?
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The Non-Business Credit (formerly known as the 10% Rollback) has been in place since 1971. The Owner Occupancy Credit (formerly known as the 2 1/2 % Rollback) has been in place since 1979. These credits only extend with renewal levies.
The credits reduce homeowner taxes and the State pays the $625,000 from their other funds directly to the taxing authority (our Genoa Twp Fire/EMS).
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Do homeowners and businesses pay the same rate?
They would with the proposed levy at $245 per $100k of Market Value. Currently homeowners pay $101.64 per $100k of Market Value while businesses standardly pay $114.28. The difference is the State Credits to homeowners.
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Where do I find my Assessed Market Value? And the cost of the proposed levy on my property?
Go to Delaware County Auditor
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Find your property. Current Value total is near the middle of the Property Information page.​
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Along the top of the page are tabs. The Levy tab will show estimated annual tax for the proposed levy.
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Some Important Data in One Table?
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Current Proposed
"5.3" Levy "7.0" Levy
Tax Revenue $5,400,000 $11,500,000
to Genoa Fire EMS
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Tax Paid by $4,775,000 $11,500,000
Property Tax
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Tax Paid $625,000 0
by State
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Homeowner Tax $101.64 $245.00
Paid per $100k Value
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Business Tax $114.28 $245.00
Paid per $100k Value
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Levy Effective 3.265 7.0
Rate- mills
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NOTE: Tax revenue and paid amounts
are approximate. ​​
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Full Ballot Proposal Language
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Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Genoa Township A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. For the Tax Levy Against the Tax Levy An additional tax for the benefit of Genoa Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm communications, for the payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs that the county auditor estimates will collect $11,499,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 7 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $245 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.
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