The last levy request was in 2015 and was a 2.9 mill replacement levy that added 1.84 mills in new taxes.  Our current effective millage is 5.3 mills out of 12.1 voted mills. Plain Township currently has the lowest effective fire levy millage in Franklin County, and has a strong history of responsibly managing fire operations to make a Fire-Year levy last nine years.

Homeowners currently pay approximately $185 per $100,000 of home value. the average fire levy property tax rate in Franklin County is $282 per $100,000 of home value.

Maintaining operations, staffing, and capital equipment replacement, such as a new fire engine, new medic, officer vehicles, and SCBA air packs that must be replaced every 10 years.  This levy will also fund a second fire station, including more firefighters and another fire engine to meet the needs of our community.

The last fire levy was intended to fund five years of operations, but nine years later, additional funding is needed to maintain operations and equipment and prepare for growth. Plain Township began updating it’s Fire Department Strategic Plan in 2022, including a community survey, stakeholder meetings, and best practice research. The new Strategic Plan was adopted in December 2023 and the data indicates that a second station is needed. This levy will provide the resources needed to ensure that, together, we save lives.

As shared in our 2023 Annual Report (available here…), EMS runs increased 50% between 2013 and 2023, while total calls for service increased 44%. Significant new housing has been built and is planned for our community, including four new age-based housing subdivisions and two nursing home facilities. With continued residential and business growth, significant additional demand is projected. The continued development has also resulted in slower run times due to traffic and construction. A second station will improve run times to rural Plain Township and subdivisions in New Albany. The cost of supplies and capital equipment has also increased significantly. In 2011, Plain Township paid $561,574 for a new engine/rescue. In 2022, the same type of fire engine costs $935,537. A similar engine ordered today would cost at least $1,200,000 and take several years to deliver.