By Kathleen Leese
For Miami Valley Today
PIQUA — The Washington Township building in Piqua was packed as it hosted the Miami County Township Association for a meeting on Thursday, June 13, that covered several topics, including fire and EMS issues in the townships, and Huffman’s proposed legislation to abolish the state income tax.
State Sen. Stephen Huffman, R-Tipp City, Josh Schiebrel, Bethel Township interim fire chief, Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak and Miami County Commissioner Greg Simmons, in addition to members of the public were in attendance at the meeting.
Huffman, who is also the volunteer EMS director for Elizabeth Township and Pleasant Hill (Newton Township), spoke about EMS issues facing townships, and specifically addressed Spirit Medical Transport LLC, noting his concern about Spirit’s response time. Huffman said he thinks it is important for township officials to listen to their constituents.
He said many EMS squads have to use basic EMTs, although “a paramedic is better.” A lot of the issue “depends on the quality of the service” from the EMS, he said.
“The law is you have to have two in the (EMS) truck,” Huffman said, but that a basic EMT is “better than nothing.”
There is a great need for individuals to receive training as an EMT, paramedic and as firefighters, Huffman said, adding, “We need to educate more people.”
Huffman is also concerned about animals. He has introduced Senate Bill 268, allowing veterinarians to be allowed to practice tele-health for animals in much the same way as humans sometimes interact with their doctors.
Huffman has also proposed legislation through Senate Bill 216 that would phase out the state income tax on non-business income over six years, which brought a question about what would happen if state income tax is eliminated.
Huffman replied, “We spend a lot of money on a lot of things” and he pointed to millions being spent on a tennis center in Cincinnati, as well as on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Among the issues Huffman is concerned about, are abatements.
“I look at the abatements; how horrible it’s been,” he said. “Proctor and Gamble (Vandalia) has abatements. Vandalia is one of the top 10 richest school districts in Ohio.”
“There’s a balance,” Huffman said, when it comes to taxes, “we should pay for essential services.”
Huffman said there will be a 10-day sales tax holiday beginning at midnight on July 30 through Aug. 8.
Schiebrel, who has spent his entire career with Bethel Township, beginning as a volunteer, also spoke explaining, “We’re struggling for recruitment. Volunteer is hurting even more.”
Classes available through Sinclair Community College and other colleges are having trouble offering more than one class per semester for those entering the firefighting or Paramedic/EMS programs because there are not enough students to fill the classes, he noted. Other problems Schiebrel pointed out is that most firefighters and EMTs are in their 50s and will be hitting retirement age, and that first responders are moving from department to department seeking better pay and benefits.
Tipp City now has fulltime EMS coverage offering “better shift work,” which Schiebrel said was a real selling point, “it’s a benefit no one else in the area can offer.”
While Bethel Township is currently experiencing a large call volume increase, “my revenue from medical billing is stagnant if not dropped.”
Bethel Township is running with four people on 24/7 shifts with no benefits, Schiebrel said, and the result is that they are losing first responders to departments that offer benefits.
“Our one levy basically pays the salaries,” Schiebrel said.
It was noted Springcreek Township will be placing a renewal levy on the ballot in the fall for 2.5 mill and a higher millage levy for fire and EMS services is still being debated. Lost Creek Township is also planning to place a fire and EMS levy on the ballot in the fall.
Simmons said the Miami County Commissioners have made an offer to hire a fulltime grant writer who will be made available to help the townships and villages with grant writing that may help them secure grants for some of their needs.
Duchak also spoke, stating, “The fire stuff is a tough issue. What has benefited us (are) the career centers … fire is going through what law enforcement did years ago. I’m confident you guys will find a solution.”
Duchak also spoke about the cameras now in use that he said, have been especially useful in places like Bethel Township, which is seeing increased crime, perhaps due to their proximity to Dayton.
“Cameras have been incredible for us,” Duchak said, adding that it is not only for license plates, “I can put in a description (of a vehicle), can enter hot sheets. It’s been really well received.”
Another change at the sheriff’s office are 12 hour shifts.
“I hope you’re seeing more deputies,” he told the crowd; there are usually seven or eight deputies on the road at a time now. “Deputies are more rested. It lowers our cost. Getting them out there (has) been good.”
Duchak said five schools now have Miami County deputies as resource officers, and Bethel Schools now have two resource officers.
It was noted during the meeting Miami County will be updating their Comprehensive Land Use Map and will have a meeting on Wednesday, June 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Troy Junior High School, which is open to the public.
The next meeting of the Miami County Township Association will be on Sept. 12 in Brown Township.
The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.
