Washington Township talks Fire Safety
The township is faced with large issues and larger costs
The fire service issue in Washington Township, Miami County, was the only topic of discussion at a special meeting the Township Trustees had on January 11th. The provision of fire and EMS services is a significant matter that affects the safety and well-being of its residents. Local media attended that meeting and that reporting helped shed light on the situation which will be the topic of today’s newsletter.
The core of the fire service issue revolves around a proposed 115% increase in the cost for fire and EMS services provided by the City of Piqua to Washington Township. This increase would raise the annual payment from approximately $109,000 in 2023 to an estimated $241,000 in 2024.
Washington Township, a small rural community with fewer than 2,000 residents, has traditionally relied on fire and EMS coverage from the City of Piqua and the villages of Covington and Lockington. This arrangement has been in place for many years and is crucial for the township, which has limited resources to provide these essential services independently.
The City of Piqua, which has not renegotiated its contract with Washington Township for 15 years, has proposed a substantial increase in its service fees. According to Piqua City Manager Paul Oberdorfer, the current contract included an automatic 2% yearly increase but has become outdated. The City Manager mentioned that labor costs are a driver in the increased costs to the township, which make up a significant portion of the fire department's budget, have increased over this period. Due to the increased costs not keeping up with the additional revenue provided by the townships through the contracts, Oberdorfer highlighted that Piqua residents have been heavily subsidizing the townships under the old contract.
Township's Response and Concerns
Both Township Trustees and residents are alarmed by the sudden and steep increase for the service. Trustee Jeff Lange and residents like Chuck Starrett, who spoke at Thursday’s meeting. acknowledge the need for an increase but argue that 115% is unjustified. The township has explored alternatives, including extending coverage with Covington and Lockington and considering putting a levy in November to fund the increased costs.
Community's Reaction
The community's reaction is mixed. Some, like resident Kathy Mayes, are willing to pay more to maintain Piqua's services, recognizing their importance. Others are concerned about the high increase and the impact on their personal finances. The possibility of higher insurance rates if Piqua's services are dropped is also a concern.
Options and Challenges Ahead
The township faces a challenging decision. On one hand, maintaining Piqua's services ensures a level of reliability and quality. On the other hand, the financial burden of the proposed increase is substantial for a small community. Exploring coverage extensions with Covington and Lockington could provide a potential solution, but on the face, it comes with tradeoffs. Both Covington and Lockington are futher away in many parts of the township and while both are good departments, they certainly lack the manpower and equipment that the Piqua Fire Department provides.
In addition, having a tax levy on the ballot is also a challenge. There is never a good time for government to ask voters for more money. And such efforts would require township residents to step up and campaign for a levy; something that rarely has been done in the history of the township.
Communication Challenges
One of the overlooked details of this challenge has been the perceived lack of communication the township had had with both residents and the City of Piqua. According to some media report, the City brought forward this issue to the township last Summer, but communications broke down for a reason that hasn’t fully been explained.
Furthermore, the township lacks the tools it needs to effectively to communicate to residents about their meetings. While townships must adopt a schedule of meetings each year, for residents who have never attended a township meeting, it’s hard to find out about township affairs when the township doesn’t appear to have a website, a social media page or even issue press releases. (Hint: If you are a part of township government and need help here, let’s talk).
When local government, no matter how big or small, doesn’t take the time to effectively create the tools and the messages to inform their residents and the community about decisions being made and how they can participate in those processes, the local government gives a message that it doesn’t care about citizen input.
The Washington Township fire service issue highlights the difficulties small communities face in balancing budget constraints with the need for essential services. It also underscores the importance of clear communication and negotiation in inter-governmental agreements. The decision made by the township will have significant implications for its residents' safety and financial well-being. The situation requires careful consideration of all options, transparent communication with the public, and a strategic approach to ensure sustainable and reliable fire and EMS services that is fair not only to Washington Township, but also the muncipal providers of those services as well.
Thanks for reading today’s Civic Capacity Newsletter. This project is growing each and every day and your support is critical to the publication’s success. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and neighbors and leave your insights and ideas in the comment section.
What’s the economics about “joining” this 1500 population township into Piqua? Would these folks be better served?would Piqua Residents be hurt? Is is “ I want to be independent and don’t want to be a part of “big government” thing, but don’t want to pay for the services?