MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 2/13/2008

"March Ballot Issues"

Sylvania voters have two local property tax issues to consider on the March 4, 2008 primary ballot. The Sylvania Township Trustees have placed a continuing 1.25 mil levy on the ballot to provide additional funding to operate the Sylvania Township Fire Department which also serves the City. The Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District (SAJRD) Board has a 20 year .42 mil bond levy to improve recreational sites all around the community.

The fire issue will appear on the ballot as Issue 3 and includes both operating and capital funding. The cost to a homeowner would be $38 annually per $100,000 of value. The last fire levy passed was 1.5 mils in 2001 and funding has not kept up with inflation since then. A large fire levy lost in 2005, and competing fire levies in November, 2007 also lost. Issue 3 is middle ground acceptable to both fire levy groups for funding our Fire/EMS services.

The proposed fire levy would provide funding to restore three full-time fire fighters on shift duty and add two more for day shift work, allowing adequate response for two simultaneous Fire/EMS incidents. Funding is also provided to expand the number of part-paid and volunteer fire fighters. The fire levy would provide funding for replacement of three outdated firehouses, including one in the City, and improve the fourth. Three fire/rescue apparatus vehicles would be replaced and a staggered replacement rotation established for the remaining fire/rescue vehicles.

The SAJRD capital levy will appear as ballot Issue 4 and would cost a homeowner $13 annually per $100,000 of value. Recreation is a quality of life issue for our residents which also keeps our community desirable and property values high. The last SAJRD levy was .85 mil operating replaced in 2000. The last SAJRD capital levy dates back to 1994, expires in 2014 and is currently being collected at .35 mils. Facility improvements are planned at Pacesetter Park, Tam O'Shanter, Centennial Terrace and Quarry and all Sylvania School sites. Also included is a new skate park to serve the growing number of skaters in our community.

I encourage you to consider these levies and know the facts before you go to the polls on Tuesday, March 4^th. One is a safety issue, the other a quality of life issue. Both are incremental millages to restore funding lost to inflation and provide improved facilities. Both will help keep Sylvania a great place to live, work and raise a family.