The volunteer firefighters provided protection for more than six decades.Ĭontract: North Lawrence Fire Dept. Stewart believes some of the voters who rejected the measure in November were upset by township officials' decision to end a longstanding agreement with the North Lawrence Fire Department to provide service to the southern portion of the township. The 0.5 mill levy brings in about $77,035 each year and would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $18 per year. Meismer said the 1.9-mill fire levy generates about $292,734 and would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $68 annually. 'But we have to keep the lights on and keep putting fuel in vehicles and doing repairs. 'Just like any other operation in government or elsewhere, the biggest bunch of our budget goes to staffing,' Stewart said. Stewart said if voters do not approve the measures before the end of the year, it could result in limited staffing. The department has about 55 part-time first responders, he said. If voters approve the levies in August, officials will remove them from the November ballot, she said. 2 ballot, township fiscal officer Cynthia Meismer said. Township trustees have opted to put the levies on both the Aug. Stewart said the additional funding generated by switching the levy to a replacement was about $25,000, which would help but wouldn't pay for another staff member or large equipment purchases. Township officials opted to seek a renewal of that levy this time instead of a replacement. The replacement would have brought the levy up to current home values. The levies, first approved in the early 1990s, were rejected by voters in November.Īccording to the Stark County Board of Elections, the 1.9-mill levy lost by less than 100 votes, while the second, a replacement 0.5-mill levy, was defeated by more than 750 votes. '(The money) is for equipment replacement, staffing, building repairs, vehicle repairs, utilities,' the chief said. Money generated from the tax provides just over a third of the fire department's $815,000 annual budget, Stewart said. 3 special election ballot in Stark County.

More: Lawrence Township trustees want revenue certification for levies Voters are being asked to renew a 1.9-mill, five-year levy and a 0.5-mill, five-year levy. Both measures expire at the end of the year. To keep the agency's emergency vehicles gassed and maintained and the lights on, he is asking township voters to approve two renewal levies that help fund the department. – Fire Chief Mark Stewart wants his department to have the necessary tools to serve township residents.

Lawrence township stark county map