Girard fire levy isn’t new

Staff report

GIRARD

City residents will be asked to renew a 3-mill, 5-year fire levy in the Nov. 4 election.

The renewal levy, first passed in 2004, will mean no new taxes, just a continuation of what amounts to approximately a quarter of the fire department’s budget, said Girard Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss.

The department’s budget, historically, is $1.3 million annually, said city auditor Sam Zirafi. The levy generates $335,436, costing someone who owns a $100,000 home $105 a year.

The fire department gets the rest of its operating money from the city’s annual budget’s general fund, said Zirafi.

The levy is very much needed for the daily operations of the department, said Bornemiss.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said.

The city has one station, five firefighters and three captains, he said.