POWELL, Ohio — We’re less than a week away from the May 6 primary, and while there’s only one statewide issue on the ballot, many voters will have decisions to make on a local level that could dictate the future of their community.
What You Need To Know
- The Liberty Township Fire Department is seeking extra funding through a levy to support its growing response to emergency calls, which have increased by 30% in recent years
- Delaware County is experiencing rapid population growth, with projections showing it could reach over 350,000 residents by 2050, driven by its proximity to jobs and transportation infrastructure
- The proposed levy would enable the Liberty Township Fire Department to add staffing and purchase a third ambulance, helping them maintain their response times and services despite growing demands
Dozens of school districts have added levies to the ballot while they push for additional funding in the state budget.
Meanwhile counties are asking voters to approve projects that range from improving library systems to helping children and those with disabilities, and then there’s the push at the very local level.
Liberty Township fire is trying to secure extra funding to help them keep up with their recent and expected growth.
Over the last few years, Fire Chief Jim Reardon said EMS calls have gone up 30%.
“The problem is, when we get one call now, 49% of the time, we get another one at the same time,” he explained.
But it's not just Liberty Township—all of Delaware County is experiencing rapid growth.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county's population reached more than 200,000 in 2023 with projections showing it could climb to over 350,000 residents by 2050.
“We've been the fastest growing county in the state, and at various times, even in the country,” said Jane Hawes, spokesperson for the Delaware County Board of Commissioners. “A lot of it has to do with sort of our proximity to jobs where we're situated on main transportation lines, like your I-71, all of the railways that come through. Now with Intel, that’s having an impact.”
Hawes said they’re preparing for what’s next, despite Intel’s delays.
“We're just continuing on with the mindset that something's going to get built. Maybe it won't have the Intel name on it. We don't know that yet, but things are getting built," she said.
That's why Liberty Township officials said a levy that’s on the ballot right now is crucial for its fire department. If passed, it would allow them to add staffing and buy a third ambulance.
“Our number one job is to answer 911 calls,” Reardon said. “And we can't do that without vehicles, and we can't do it without people. So, it costs money to do that.”
The department has secured over $3 million in grants, but Reardon said voter support would help even more because they don’t fully charge for emergency services.
“So, right now, this money is going to help us continue to be proactive and be able to keep the positive and progressive attitude that the chiefs and the firefighters before us have set," he said.
