Public Safety Levy Would Cover Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement Protection for Five Years

Passage of levy on November 8 maintains same level of public safety services currently in operation 

When Anderson Township residents go to the polls on Election Day 2016, they’ll see a 3.55 mill public safety levy on the ballot.

After stretching the 2008 public safety levy three years beyond its projected five-year life, Anderson Township Trustees decided in July to return to the voters to secure funding for safety services over the next five years.

If approved by the voters, the levy would cover fire, EMS and law enforcement operating costs, including salaries for 65 fulltime firefighter/paramedics and 35 sheriff’s officers, uniforms, firefighting gear, medical supplies, utilities and repair/maintenance of facilities and equipment. (Most equipment purchases, like fire engines, police cruisers and ambulances are covered by Tax Increment Funds -TIF).

“Our primary job as trustees is to ensure our residents safety,” said Township Trustee President Andrew Pappas. “That is something we don’t take lightly. Given increased demands on our sheriff’s department due to the heroin epidemic, we have a responsibility to make Anderson safe.”

“We want people to know what they are paying for. If we want the level of service we currently have, we have to pay for it. That’s why we put the levy on the ballot,” he said.

The 3.55 mill levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $10.35 per month.