What are the two property tax levies on the Coshocton primary ballot?

COSHOCTON − Two new property tax levies on the spring primary ballot are aimed at increasing first responder services for the general public.

The Franklin-Conesville-Virginia Volunteer Fire Department is seeking an additional 2.5-mill levy for five years for general operations. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $89 per year. The Coshocton County Auditor's Office estimates it would bring in about $159,000 a year.

Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services is seeking an additional 1-mill levy for five years for general operations. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $36 per year. The Coshocton County Auditor's Office estimates it will earn $807,000 annually.

Todd Shroyer, director of Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services, said in June he didn't want to ask taxpayers for anymore money, but finds it unavoidable with the state of EMS today.

Currently, the agency receives about $2.7 million annually from 4-mills in separate property tax levies and about $1.3 million in billing revenue. However, personnel costs are just under $4 million a year and will have to go up in order to be competitive with private ambulance services and fire departments elsewhere. Personnel is about 80% of the department's costs, Shroyer said.

He said the new levy if passed would about cover the shortfall projected for the current 2024. Estimates from November had the entity out of money by February 2025 unless something changes.

Without more funding, Shroyer said cuts to personnel would need to be made and they would go from having four crews most of the time to three crews only around the clock. There are 56 employees on the roster now. Shroyer said they've not replaced three people who have recently left.

Shroyer said he didn't want to hire anyone now if they would be laid off next year and, if more cuts need made, he hopes they can be through attrition. Paramedics top out at $21.75, but Shroyer knows they could make $30 or more almost anywhere else in the region.

The new EMS station that opened earlier this year is hoped to be an enticement to bring in new employees and retain current ones. The larger and more modern facility provides workers with individual sleeping quarters, a gym, training rooms and more.

Shroyer wants to be clear that funding for the building was for construction only and couldn't go to operations. The $4.35 million project was possible with funding coming from bonds and a $1.95 million Targets of Opportunity CARES Act Funding grant from the Ohio Department of Development. Payment of the loans is a small part of the overall budget, Shroyer said.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Two property tax levies on March 19 primary ballot in Coshocton County