Local Levies Fund Public Services

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Election Day isn’t solely about who gets elected as it also includes what levies and issues that the voters decide to see pitched or passed. 

Washington Township Fire Department President Josh Snouffer explained how the 2.5 mil, 5-year, replacement levy will continue basic operating expenses without raising taxes.  

“This levy is primarily for our operating expenses, our payroll for our full-time staff that we have,” Snouffer said. “We also take pride in the equipment that we have. We always want to have the best equipment available for the residents we serve and the costs of those things are not going down anytime soon.”

The levy will keep paid staff members, who dramatically reduce response times, employed, which in turn keeps insurance premiums affordable for the residents.

Snouffer noted how the needs of the Washington Township Fire Department vary from the other township fire departments in Muskingum County. 

“This township we cover around 10 miles of interstate. That’s two five miles each direction. And there’s a lot of road construction going on right now. So a lot of traffic comes through Washington Township on a daily basis. And we have several residents as well and not only that, we have an industrial park. So the volume of the calls we have has really increased dramatically over the past few years,” Snouffer said.

The 2.5 mil, 5-year, replacement levy will act as a renewal levy by ensuring the residents of Washington Township the same quick response times and services without increasing their taxes.