SUGARCREEK (WJER) - Sugarcreek’s fire chief is explaining the need for the village’s Issue 7 on Tuesday’s ballot. 

Kevin Miller says this would replace the current 2.5-mill levy set to expire at the end of the year for fire and emergency services. The current levy brings in about $224,000 annually. The replacement would generate about $22,000 more than that. 

“It would allow us to continue to provide staffing at the stations with 24/7 EMS coverage as well as fire coverage to the residents of the village and the surrounding townships,” he says.  

This levy replacement would raise taxes for the owner of a $100,000 home about $15 a year. 

“I’ve not really heard any negative feedback. I know we tried to since we took over the EMS service, the fire department has been trying to provide good service to the community,” he says. “I think that has gone a long way as far as showing what we’re able to do and the care that we can provide.” 

Miller says if this replacement fails, the village could have to try the levy again or otherwise eventually become a volunteer fire department with delayed response times. 

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