Welcome to Responsible Genoa Twp
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May 6, 2025 Fire Levy
May 7, 2025 Update (modified May 9)
We’re grateful for the opportunity to help shine a light on the facts and make them more visible. We hope it contributed to a more informed decision-making process for you.
On May 6, 2025, voters passed the Fire Department levy by a margin of 693 votes. That’s a shift compared to the November 2024 election, when the levy failed by 801 votes.
Notably, voter turnout was much lower this time: just 4,663 people voted in May 2025, compared to 16,121 in November 2024. It was a close vote, and every voice truly counted.
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Fire/EMS is now fully funded through 2030. Strategy and solving issues of effectiveness and efficiency, particular overcapacity and underutilization, still must be dealt with by Genoa Township leadership.
Thank you.
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April 25 Update
Vote NO on the Genoa Township Fire Levy (Renewal and Increase) – 7.7 Mills, or $199 per $100k Home Valuation
The Situation:
Genoa Township’s current 5.3 mill Fire/EMS levy is set to expire at the end of 2025. The proposed 7.7 mill levy would renew and increase the fire department’s funding—raising the property tax burden from approximately $5.5 million to $9.5 million per year. While the department is already funded through the first quarter of 2026, we do need a new levy to ensure continued funding beyond that. However, this current proposal is not the right one.
We support our Fire and EMS professionals wholeheartedly and want to Keep Genoa Safe. But we also believe taxpayers deserve a responsible plan and a sustainable financial path forward—not one that significantly increases cost without improving outcomes. We recommend voting NO on the proposed levy and working toward a better solution for the November 2025 election.
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Why We Recommend Voting NO
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1. 80% Increase in Homeowner Cost Is Excessive
The new levy increases costs from $102 to $186 ($199 less $13 'rollback' paid through our state taxes) per $100k in valuation—a steep 80% jump—with no added service or benefit.
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2. No Improvement in Effectiveness, Efficiency, or Fiscal Responsibility
This levy simply maintains current service levels at a much higher cost.
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3. We Can Do Better—Facts Support Smarter Solutions
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a. 2018 Delaware County EMS Master Plan Study
Commissioned by Delaware County, this study cited overcapacity and underutilization as key inefficiencies. The underuse of resources also limits training and experience opportunities for personnel. Though the study wasn’t acted upon, it still provides evidence-based insight that Genoa and others could benefit from.
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b. Comparable Community: Hudson, Ohio
Hudson, with similar size and demographics, handled 50% more calls than Genoa in 2023 (3,098 vs. 2,060) with a much lower budget.
• 2025 Hudson Operating Budget: $4.6 million
• 2025 Genoa Budget: $7.0 million (50% higher)
• Even with Hudson’s most expensive proposed expansion, their 2028 budget maxes at $7.1 million— Genoa’s projected $9.2 million for 2028 is still 30% higher.
Hudson is also exploring improved staffing models to address response times without drastically increasing costs. The most expensive proposed expansion being considered is adding 5 firefighters, bringing full time staff to 14 plus additional part time compared to Genoa current 33 full time plus additional part time.
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4. Service Reductions Are Unwarranted
Following the failure of the November 2024 levy, Genoa Township cut services and cited danger to residents. We believe these cuts are unnecessary and strategic, designed to pressure voters. These services should be restored now, regardless of the May vote outcome.
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5. Unsustainable Cost Growth Must End
We can’t continue down a path where costs escalate every year without addressing underlying inefficiencies. The Trustees must develop a long-term solution.
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What Happens After the Levy is Defeated?
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• Services can and should be restored now with current funding in place through early 2026.
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• A better, more responsible levy can be developed for the November 2025 ballot, one that emphasizes effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
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• We will support a plan that is sustainable and makes effective use of our community’s tax dollars.
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Helpful Links
• 2018 Delaware County EMS Master Plan Study
• Hudson Fire/EMS Staffing Needs Assessment
Let’s vote NO this May, and work toward a better plan in November 2025—one that truly keeps Genoa safe and fiscally responsible.​
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March 6 update
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Genoa Twp Elected Officials have put a second attempt at a Fire Levy on the ballot for May 6, 2025. Here is what we know and grade as of March 6, 2025.
Nov 2024 May 2025
Operating business plan and budget plan F F
Metrics to measure effectiveness and generate F F
future improvement ideas
Communications and Partnerships to help our safety C C
Create a responsible levy F C-
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Levy comparison:
Increase for homeowners 2.4x 1.8x
Retention of our state fund No(F) Yes(A)
Term Forever 5 years
We want and welcome factual information from Township Officials or others which would affect or correct our analysis. ​​
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November 8, 2024, Update.
Voters rejected the 2.4 times cost levy because it was a bad levy. And it was based on a bad plan. Thanks for letting us put a spotlight on the facts and perhaps make them more visible for you.
Now the challenging work begins. The Genoa Twp elected officials and fire department leadership can go many directions now, but we think they will successfully address your and our concerns through a process that includes:
Openly research and seek a good business plan and budget plan. Involve trained, successful businesspeople to complement the capabilities of our trained, successful firefighter/paramedics to cooperatively create such a plan. Develop metrics which measure fire/EMS effectiveness to help generate future improvement ideas. Plan to develop communications and partnerships to decrease or at least stem the growth in dispatches.
Then create a responsible levy proposal to be presented to the voters in 2025.
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November 2024 Fire Levy
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Vote NO on proposed Fire Levy. Demand a better plan and Levy. Here is what is going on.
Genoa Twp has proposed a levy on the November 2024 election for "An additional tax ... $245 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for a continuing period of time...".
see FAQ for full text of proposal
This levy essentially replaces the current 5.3 mill levy, which costs homeowners $101.64 per $100k, with a 7.0 mill levy that would cost homeowner $245.00 per $100k,
2.4 times what we currently pay.
see FAQ for "How going from 5.3 mill levy to 7.0 mill levy causes homeowners to pay 2.4 times current tax."
2.4 times our current tax to maintain current services is overreaching.
Give Genoa Elected Officials a second chance to plan and create a proper levy.
Vote NO Genoa Twp Fire EMS $245/$100k Levy
What are the problems?
Levy is Too Much Money for Too Long a Time
2.4 Times the Current Levy Cost per year for Homeowners
Gives up $625,000 per year of state tax credits that currently are paid by the State to Genoa Fire.
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Forever - a continuous levy never to be reconsidered by voters
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Vote NO on the proposed levy. 2.4 times your current tax to maintain current services is overreaching.
Give Genoa Elected Officials a second chance to plan and create a proper levy.
What to expect and do after defeating the proposed Levy
Continued excellent services in 2025. The department will begin 2025 with $2-3 million in reserve funds. They will receive $5.4 million from the existing levy and collect other revenue of $200 to 300 thousand not counting grants. In 2023 the operating cost was under $7 million. There is no new equipment that must be ordered in 2025. Some belt tightening may be necessary.
A new levy proposal in 2025 for operating expenses, rebuilding the operating reserve, and building up the fund for future replacement equipment.
We must demand that our elected officials develop a responsible plan for our Fire/EMS needs and create a levy that retains the $625,000 state funding source, and has periodic review and appropriate adjustment with voter approval.
Ask elected officials and Chief for measures of the cost and results comparing our Fire/EMS with other Fire Departments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How going from 5.3 mill levy to 7.0 mill levy leads homeowners to pay 2.4 times current taxes?
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5.3 mills is like a "name" for the current levy. It's labeled millage is 5.3 mills but the effective millage is 3.265 mills, so the increase starts by being a jump from 3.265 mills to 7 mills. In addition the state provides two credits to homeowners. Together, these two factors mean that homeowners currently pay $101.64 per $100k of Market Value. The proposed levy has a 7 mill effective rate, foregoes (ie we will not get) the homeowner state credits, and will be $245 per $100k.
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What does 'giving up $625,000 of state credits mean?​
If the existing levy were renewed the credits would remain for 2025 and future years, per current law (see FAQ State Credits of...). The proposed levy does not qualify for the state credits.
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State Credits of $625,000?
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The Non-Business Credit (formerly known as the 10% Rollback) has been in place since 1971. The Owner Occupancy Credit (formerly known as the 2 1/2 % Rollback) has been in place since 1979. These credits only extend with renewal levies.
The credits reduce homeowner taxes and the State pays the $625,000 from their other funds directly to the taxing authority (our Genoa Twp Fire/EMS).
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Do homeowners and businesses pay the same rate?
They would with the proposed levy at $245 per $100k of Market Value. Currently homeowners pay $101.64 per $100k of Market Value while businesses standardly pay $114.28. The difference is the State Credits to homeowners.
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Where do I find my Assessed Market Value? And the cost of the proposed levy on my property?
Go to Delaware County Auditor
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Find your property. Current Value total is near the middle of the Property Information page.​
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Along the top of the page are tabs. The Levy tab will show estimated annual tax for the proposed levy.
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Some Important Data in One Table?
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Current Proposed
"5.3" Levy "7.0" Levy
Tax Revenue $5,400,000 $11,500,000
to Genoa Fire EMS
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Tax Paid by $4,775,000 $11,500,000
Property Tax
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Tax Paid $625,000 0
by State
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Homeowner Tax $101.64 $245.00
Paid per $100k Value
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Business Tax $114.28 $245.00
Paid per $100k Value
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Levy Effective 3.265 7.0
Rate- mills
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NOTE: Tax revenue and paid amounts
are approximate. ​​
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Full Ballot Proposal Language
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Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Genoa Township A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. For the Tax Levy Against the Tax Levy An additional tax for the benefit of Genoa Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm communications, for the payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs that the county auditor estimates will collect $11,499,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 7 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $245 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.
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