Politics & Government
Mentor Fire Renewal Levy to Appear on November Ballot
Voters will decide whether to renew a levy that generates about $1.1 million to support fire department salaries, apparatus and more.
It's official — Mentor residents will decide in November whether to renew a levy that supports fire department salaries, buildings, apparatus and equipment.
Mentor City Council passed an emergency resolution Tuesday declaring the need for a renewal of the 1.5-mill levy voters approved in 2008. It represents about 10 percent of the fire department's budget and brought in about $1.1 million last year.
"As a reminder to the public, this is being placed on as a renewal," City Manager Ken Filipiak said at the city council meeting.
Filipiak said in June that he's confident that Mentor voters will continue their history of renewing levies that keep local government operating with necessary funding.
"I think the community has come to appreciate that we probably have the best emergency services in Northeast Ohio," he said. "We have been able to retain our manpower and equipment to operate five stations.
"The proof in that is in the effectiveness of our fire service."
According to the auditor's office, the owner of a $100,000 home pays $21.92 per year for the levy. The levy has been on a five-year renewal cycle for decades.
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