MOUNT GILEAD — Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton gave the presentation for the Sheriff’s Office 1 mill, continuous levy.
Hinton emphasized that the money will be used for vehicle repairs and maintenance, salaries and hiring additional sheriff’s deputies. None of the money will be used to operate the correctional facility.
“We are doing our best to be transparent,” said Hinton. “We want people to know exactly what we will do with the funds.”
This will be additional funding for the Sheriff’s Office to be used for needed personnel of 7 deputy sheriff’s, 2 dispatchers and needed equipment for Tasers, policy manual, computers, detectives’ software, ballistic vests and needed uniforms.
Hinton said that they are short several deputies and dispatchers. They are using uniform pants and shirts that were donated by the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. Hinton is wearing a shirt from Tom Harden that is about 20 years old.
Tax on a $100,000 property will be about $35 per year for this 1 mill levy.
It is one of three countywide issues on the Nov. 7 ballot.
• EMS Director Jeff Sparks spoke for the EMS 2 mills, permanent or continuing levy. One of the important factors for needing the levy is the 33 percent increase in runs since 2006. Yet Morrow County has operated on a 2 mill renewable levy since 1972.
Another concern for the county EMS is the 25 percent rate of attrition for paramedics. The hourly rate for paramedics is $8.45. New paramedics are trained in Morrow County and move on to other counties where they can earn more.
With the levy plans are to expand to a service area in Chesterville and also reaching Franklin and Harmony Townships with more timely service.
Tax on a $100,000 property will be about $70 per year.
• Keith Acker talked about the 9-1-1 issue. It is a single amount of $25 per “improved parcel assessment” per year. Acker said that an “improved parcel” is basically any property with a building on it. The last assessment per parcel was $25. This request is an increase to $50 per parcel.
Acker said there has been an 18 percent increase in 9-1-1 calls over just the past five years. 95 percent of the calls now come in on cell phones. This requires special equipment to locate the caller to determine where the emergency is assistance is needed.
Much of the equipment now in use is from when 9-1-1 was established in 1992. The increased funding will be used to keep up with te increasing cost of service. Funding will also be used to maintain current staffing and to retain and keep well-trained employees.
