Scipio Twp asking for replacement fire levy

Voters in Scipio Township will be asked to consider a replacement levy for fire protection Nov. 6. The levy is a 1.5-mill replacement levy commencing in 2019 and first due in 2020, according to information from Seneca County Board of Elections. Scipio Township Fiscal Officer Karen Aichholz said even though it is a replacement, the levy is at the same rate as the previous levy. She said the levy is needed to keep equipment up to date and for training. "The department is always trying to apply for grants, but even with the grants, it's not enough," Aichholz said. "They need the levy to keep (the department) going." According to information provided by Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins, the levy is to generate about $63,683 annually and would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an estimated $52.50 per year. Chief Jason Porter of Scipio-Republic Fire Department said the levy is used as the department's operating budget and the department plans to set some of the money aside to go toward a new fire truck. He said part of the fire levy was used for the last truck the department bought. "It's also used to purchase equipment and put (personnel) through class," Porter said. "If we didn't have the levy, we wouldn’t be able to put new members through the class to keep the department going. He said the levy is strictly for the fire department and is needed to help update equipment and vehicles. "(It’s needed) so we can keep everything up to date," Porter said. "Grants aren't always a given so we have to have some kind of operating money. We try to keep the best of the best for the township."