OH City Wants Income Tax Hike for FD, Safety Services

An income tax levy on Circleville voters' ballot Nov. 5 could provide some relief to the city's suffering safety forces.

The 5-year, 0.5% additional income tax would generate about $1.5 million annually and provide the city with more funds to operate and maintain the city's police and fire departments. The money would specifically go toward increasing staffing to make both forces compliant with the city's staffing ordinances. The city currently has a permanent 2 percent income tax for general operations.

"For years, we haven't been there because of a lack of funds," said Tony Chamberlain, the city's human resources and public safety director.

According to the city ordinance, the police department should have 26 sworn officers, including a chief, four sergeants, 21 police officers and seven communication officers.

The city's fire department should have a chief, three captains, three lieutenants, 12 firefighters/EMTs and 18 part-time firefighters/EMTs.

Currently, Circleville's police department has 21 sworn officer positions funded, with five unfunded police officer positions and two unfunded communications officers. The fire department has 15 funded positions, but is missing three full-time firefighter positions, 18 firefighter/EMT positions and one captain.

The lack of staffing causes a number of issues.

For one, the departments' current employees are exhausted, said Circleville Fire Chief Brian Thompson.

"Our main function is the deliver fast, effective fire and EMS coverage," said Thompson, "and when we have people doing multiple 36-, 48-, 72-hour shifts straight, it affects their ability to think straight and the fatigue factor."

"Not only is it a quality of life issue for them and their families, but its a concern for us in our community to have officers on the street for multiple shifts in a row," said Circleville City Council President David Crawford.

Thompson said the extra hours are necessary to keep Circleville safe, but it creates other issues if there are multiple emergencies at once.

"If we have two EMS runs going at the same time and we get a fire, we don't have any fire coverage," he said. "If we have a large structure fire, we don't have any EMS available."

Working overtime is a routine practice in both departments, but Chamberlain said the cost of paying it is becoming more expensive.

"The cost is higher than if we just had more people in those positions," Chamberlain said.

The average cost of a police officer is $84,000 a year, making the total cost of hiring five additional full-time officers $420,000 annually. It would cost $130,000 annually to get the number of communication officers back up to full staff.

Hiring all of the unfunded full-time firefighter/EMT and captain position would cost the city $360,00 annually, with the average cost of a firefighter at $90,000 a year.

While city officials knew the levy was desperately needed, it's introduction got off on the wrong foot in city council, Crawford said.

A couple of contentious city council meetings earlier this year, including one in July during which personnel from each department walked out, almost didn't get it on the ballot. But Chamberlain said a couple of important changes were made to ensure support from all parties.

All funds from the levy would go directly to the safety forces, and both departments would keep their current funding from the city's general fund.

The tax levy also includes a sunset clause, which means the levy would expire in five years.

Chamberlain said he feel optimistic that voters will choose to support the city's safety forces come Election Day.

"Not only is this levy taking care of our employees," Chamberlain said, "but it's taking care of our citizens, too."

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