Dear Plain Township and New Albany Community Members:
After much thought and consideration, and in support of the 2023 Fire Department Strategic Plan, the Plain Township Board of Trustees has placed a 3.0 mill fire levy on the November 5, 2024 ballot in order to meet the needs of the Plain Township Fire Department and our growing community. We began our strategic planning process in early 2022. The 3.0 mill levy request is the smallest request that would allow us to accomplish our strategic plan. Plain Township currently has the lowest fire levy tax rate in Franklin County.
Please read this important message from our fire chiefs and review the levy fact sheet for additional details. Questions can be submitted to levyinfo@plaintownship.org. We held public meetings on this levy request on September 18, the September 29 Open House, October 2 and October 16.
Learn more about the Plain Township Fire Department
Trustee Kerri Mollard explains why we need a second fire station
Assistant Chief Ecleberry explains why a second station is needed
Since 2015, and to better serve the growing community, Plain Township has added key positions including a full-time fire safety inspector, a full-time EMS coordinator, and an additional full-time firefighter per shift. The township has also invested in lifesaving equipment by replacing all of the outdated heart monitors, CPR machines, and rescue tools, and purchased a new medic. In the past few years, the township has also completed essential facility maintenance on the 27-year-old fire station that include replacing the roof ($342,000), concrete aprons ($470,000), and parking lot ($141,000) – which were much more expensive than in 2015. And a new fire engine is on order to replace a 23 year-old fire engine. The Central State engine purchased in 2001 cost $237,634. The Sutphen engine ordered in 2022 to be delivered in 2025 cost $935,537. The addition of important positions, essential facility repairs, and replacement of capital equipment all necessitate a levy request for additional funding.
We must also plan for growth. Based on our strategic plan and the number of additional housing units projected in New Albany, an additional station is needed, which is why the requested millage is higher. As the community grows, there is additional distance, traffic, and construction that increases run times. This new station will be located in northern Plain Township and well positioned to serve the age-based communities of Nottingham Trace, the Courtyards at New Albany, Wolcott Manor, and the Dominion Club. Plain Township currently has the lowest effective fire millage rate in Franklin County, and the commercial fire millage rate is 50% of the county average. Plain Township has responsibly managed fire department funds for nine years, but additional funding is needed to maintain services and plan for growth.
The Franklin County Auditor has released its tax levy calculator that can be found here: Tax Levy Calculator
Plain Township Issue #31 Community letter
PTFD Financial Summary 2020-2025
2023 PTFD Strategic Plan Summary
