By Sheryl Roadcap and Kathleen Leese
PIQUA — A decision was made to place two levies on the November 2024 ballot during the June 24 Springcreek Township meeting.
The first levy the township needs to pass is a renewable 2.5 mill general fund levy for continuing township operations. This levy, Springcreek Township Fiscal Officer Lori Wirt told Miami Valley Today, must go on the ballot this November, as it is set to expire. It will not raise residents’ taxes.
The timing of when to bring a second levy, a 4 mill levy, had been a point of contention and an ongoing topic of discussion between Springcreek Township trustees and residents for several months; this levy will be for fire and EMS services for the township.
The discussion about the potential 4 mill levy at times grew heated during the meeting.
Trustees had previously expressed apprehension about putting the 4 mill levy on the 2024 November ballot since the 2.5 mill levy must, and will already, be on the ballot. The concern is that with two levies on the ballot, the 2.5 mill levy may not pass, and also, the 4 mill levy could potentially fail. Trustees had felt the better strategy would be to place a 4 mill levy on the ballot in 2025.
Township resident Sam Robinson asked the trustees about placing the 4 mill levy on the ballot in November 2024, saying he is “hearing from people that want this done.”
Trustee Mike Havenar responded, “We’re hearing from people (that) don’t want their taxes raised.”
Robinson told the trustees he “feels very strongly” they are going to have support for the levy and expressed concern that “as time passes,” there will not be as much support.
Aug. 7 is the last date to certify the levy for the November ballot.
Wirt asked if those in support of the levy understand there would be a second levy on the ballot in November, a reference to the 2.5 mill renewable general fund levy.
Assistant Miami County Prosecutor Chris Englert, who was in attendance at the meeting, explained before the levy can be placed on the ballot, there must be special meetings, since two resolutions on the levy must be approved. He noted since “the board only meets once a month,” there will have to be special meetings in order to meet the Aug. 7 deadline.
Englert added, “It can certainly be done.”
Robinson said, “I’m not asking you to make a decision tonight,” but added, a “large part of the community” understands the “importance” of getting the levy passed.
Township resident Martin Pollock said, “I personally would look forward to having it (the levy) this year.”
He said if it would fail, it would allow time to place it on the levy again.
“A good part of the township realizes we need one. My personal opinion (is) get that first resolution in to the county. I think it would behoove everyone to move forward,” Pollock said.
Trustee Dennis Ingle asked Pollock, “What is your plan B” if the levy fails?
Pollock said, “Renewals are not an issue,” explaining he had served on a school board for years and does not believe the 2.5 mill renewal levy is going to be an issue in addition to the 4 mill levy.
“We’ve been talking about this since January now. Expectations (were) you were going to put it on the ballot because you need the money,” said Pollock.
According to the trustees and Wirt, they are facing a $263,964 deficit if the levies are not passed. If the 4 mill levy is delayed until 2025, they will not collect on the levy until 2026 or 2027.
A vulgar term was used by Havenar, as Robinson addressed trustees about the levy. Robinson expressed displeasure with the term and reminded Havenar, “You’re my public official.”
After residents suggested holding a meeting in a larger facility — as the township building is small and only so many people fit inside — to allow trustees to hear from township residents about the levies, the trustees decided to move forward with the resolutions for the 4 mill levy.
Englert told the trustees he will prepare the two resolutions. A date for the special meetings was not yet set at that time.
The trustees then also approved a second resolution for the renewable 2.5 mill general fund levy to be on the November 2024 ballot.
In other business, the trustees adopted a resolution on the 2025 budget during the public hearing on the budget, which was the purpose of the June 24 meeting. No members of the public spoke about the budget.
Also during the meeting:
• A quote was accepted for the Ridgeview Court curb work, as they decided to have Mark Weidner do the work. Weidner gave a quote of $14,150.
• Wirt said the Springcreek Township website, www.springcreektownship.com , is working now.
• An executive session was held for the purpose of discussing pending or imminent litigation. No action was taken when trustees came back into the regular session.
Leese is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.
