Welcome to Responsible Genoa Twp
Genoa Township November 4, 2025 Election Commentary
​ updated October 12,14,15,23, 2025.
Genoa Township voters face important fiscal choices this November.
Over the past 16 years, township property tax collections have nearly tripled — rising from $8 million to $23 million, including $7 million in current 4-year term. The new Police Levy and recent Fire Levy together add $5.2 million annually, even as township reserves exceed $31 million. Whether you view your Genoa Property taxes as a necessary inconvenience or as a major burden we all must take action to change to effective spending and taxation. ResponsibleGenoa.com urges residents to review the facts, demand accountable spending, and support sustainable taxation. The tax $ increases are unsustainable. Current Trustees have not demonstrated fiscal responsibility or effective oversight. Change needs to occur through your vote.
Genoa Township — November 2025 Election Quick View
Key Facts
Tax Growth
• 2010–2026: Annual tax collections grew from $8 million to $23 million
• 2010–2022 (Gebhardt era): +5.8% per year
• 2022–2026 (Antonetz era): +9.7% per year
Cash Reserves
• Township funds on hand (Sept. 30, 2025): $31.8 million
Tax Burden
• Genoa Township share of your total property taxes (excluding schools): $18 million of $33 million (55%)
• 2026 average Genoa Township tax per household: $2,500 (based on 9,100 households)
Township Growth: Household and Population growth, 2010–2024: 1% per year
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Conclusions
Genoa Township is a mature, substantially built-out community with little population growth.
Tax increases are not driven by growth — they are driven by spending excessively more for the same services.
From 2010 to 2026, household taxes have risen at an unsustainable rate.
Fiscal discipline and accountability must return to Township governance.
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Trustee Election
Current Trustees have not demonstrated fiscal responsibility or effective oversight.
Change is necessary.
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Police Levy
A renewal of the police levy is necessary now or in the next year. The proposed levy is overreaching and would need to be followed in 5 years with no increase.
If it fails, the Police Department can continue operations using $14 million currently held in the Police and General Funds until a smaller levy is approved.
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Note: Tax figures shown by year of collection. Levies are approved in the prior year.​
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November 2025 Election Deeper Dive
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Police Levy
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Our Police Department has earned strong support and purportedly performs well. The proposed levy increase would allow continued service quality and some improvement in coverage.
However:
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The five-year total increase of 33%, which allows 6% per year spending increases, are higher than sustainable long-term.
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The Trustees have provided no measurable data on the effectiveness of the police department or expected return from this increase.
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These omissions may reasonably lead some residents to vote NO. The 6% per year is not sustainable.
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Two positives:
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The increase is not overly excessive for one five-year cycle and the next cycle will need to be much lower.
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Comparing Genoa Township Police to a similar community shows our staffing levels are appropriate for our population and needs.
The biggest challenges to passage may be “tax fatigue” and the overreach of recent increases. Over the last few years, the Trustees have pushed several substantial increases in tax dollars that have not been responsible, and residents may simply feel it’s time to say stop.
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Township Tax Increases 2022-2026 (by tax year affecting homeowner bills)
Year Fund Increase %
Your Cost
2023 General Fund +35%
2024 Road & Bridge +20%
2025 Fire (rejected) +140%
2026 Fire (approved) +80%
2026 Police (proposed) +33%
These increases add up to $6.6 million per year for Genoa Homeowners, not including the rejected Fire Levy but including the proposed Police Levy.
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I am not opposing the Police Levy. We each need to think through the above facts and observation and make our decision.
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Trustee Election
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In recent years, Township leadership has shown a focus on zoning, which has kept attention away from effective management of township services and costs.
While all current candidates claim to bring management skill and fiscal prudence, results tell a different story:
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Rising excessive taxes to fund basic services over the past four years
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No effective oversight. Limited apparent trustee understanding of service operations
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No clear measures of service performance, effectiveness, or efficiency
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It is clear that our elected officials — the three Trustees and Fiscal Officer — need to demonstrate stronger capability, oversight, and results in managing township services and spending. Change is necessary.
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Tax Facts and Misinformation
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Some false claims and gross misuse of facts about taxes and responsibility for increases are circulating this election season. Stated Mill Rates are not the same as Effective Mill rates and actual tax.
Both current (Antonetz and McMurray) and former (Gebhardt) trustees have increased taxes at an unsustainable rate.
From CY 2010 to 2022 taxes increased from $8.1 million to $16.0, 5.8% per year. However, highest rate of increase is from CY 2022 to 2026 as taxes are increasing from about $16.0 million to $23.2 million, 9.7% per year (8.3% per year if the Police Levy fails).
Notes:
. All amounts are listed in the year taxes are collected from property owners and dispersed to Genoa Township. The tax year is defined as one year earlier... taxes are collected one year after the tax year.
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Data
Year Fund Increase $
2023 General Fund .6 million
2024 Road & Bridge .8 million
2025 Fire (rejected) 0
2026 Fire (approved) 4.0 million
2026 Police (proposed) 1.2 million​
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Key year Genoa Twp property tax.
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Mill Rate Dollars
millions
2110 9.40 8.10
2022 14.98 16.02
2026 17.96 23.18
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​2026 Mills and $ are estimated by adding effect of
Fire and Police levies voted on this year to 2025 actual values.
​2025 actual is 14.57 Mils and $17.98 Tax
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Your Property Tax Bill. What is Genoa TWP share? Using 2025 year we are currently paying.
$ in millions collected in Genoa Township. % is Taxing Authority's share of what you pay.
Delaware County $7.6 23%
Delaware Co JVS (DACC?) $3.6 11%​
Genoa Twp $18.0 55%
Delaware Co Health $.6 2%
​9-1-1 $.7 2%
Delaware Co Library $1.0 3%
Delaware Co Mental Health $1.6 5%
TOTAL $33.0
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Note on Property Tax Bill. This analysis of $33 million that Genoa residents pay in Property Tax excludes schools, which are funded very differently depending on which of the three school districts you live in. Our overall Property Tax payments add up to well over $100 million when schools are included. For many of us, schools are the largest single recipient of our property taxes. ​
Congratulations Genoa Township Homeowners — You are Saving $19 Million
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By rejecting the November 2024 “7 Mill Replacement” Fire Levy and later approving the May 2025 “7.7 Mill Renew Plus Increase” Levy, Genoa Township homeowners are saving $19 million over the 2025–2030 period.
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The 7.7 Mill Levy fully funds ongoing Fire Department operations and all of the expansion or improvements planned in the more expensive 7 Mill Levy (possibly expansions delayed a year.)
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Result: Some improvement in Fiscal Responsibility AND continued strong Fire/EMS protection
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Did You Know?
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Over 95% of Genoa Township property tax revenue comes directly from homeowners (voters), with the remainder from businesses and other property types.
Question: How effectively are our homeowner tax dollars being managed and what is a sustainable rate of increase for residents? Average increase of 2% per year + or - growth is likely a good target. Comments?. ​
Fred
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About Me and Disclaimer: Responsible Genoa is Fred Johnson's website for personal views, fact posting, and commentary. I am a 16-year resident of Genoa and have been active in and supportive of government funded services. Boards of Directors for SourcePoint and Delaware County Transit. Genoa Fire Advisory Committee. Del-Co Water Management Advisory Committee.
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All facts on this website are deemed correct. If you find an error, please contact me and provide the correct fact and cite the source and I will make corrections. I also welcome any other comments and opinions. ​
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For Information and comments ResponsibleGenoa@icloud.com
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​End of commentary about the November 4, 2025 Election
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​Prior Postings
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May 6, 2025 Fire Levy
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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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