Pickaway County – It was a bittersweet victory for Circleville and Pickaway Township who passed their levies to turn Pickaway Township Fire Department into a part-time staffed department last night, but in a turn of events Circlevilles Saftey levy failed possibility making mutual aid a little harder for the City.
The levies, each at 4 mills, aim to transition the Pickaway Township department to part-time staffing while still retaining some volunteers. This move is anticipated due to a surge in emergency runs that have been taxing the departments, which currently manage just over 50% of their calls independently. The transition to part-time staffing is expected to improve response times and overall efficiency.
In a Turn, the City of Circleville did not pass their levy losing several million a year to support their police and fire departments. This was the third time that the levy came up to vote in the last election cycles. The City who has made major changes to the police department since Mayor Michelle Blanton took office will have to trim back spending to support the departments without the levy.
Mayor Blanton released a statement last night, ““The election results for the lowered municipal income tax are in for today’s election. It was not successful. We are thankful for the citizens who participated in the election. The City Administration is committed to good conservative decisions on maintaining a balanced budget without these funds.”
Circleville Saftey levy failed by 5 points.
