Election 2012: Issue 3, Paramedic Levy; Issue 4, Runoff Charter Change Explained

Approval of Issue 3, a paramedic levy, will result in an increase to taxpayers but will also result in stability to the Avon Lake Fire Department personnel.

Avon Lake voters will see an increased three-year, 2-mill paramedic levy on the Aug. 7 ballot.

The city’s current 1.25-mill levy expires this year. Council’s Finance Committee previously reviewed the revenue that would be generated by a 1.75-mill levy and determined that combined with lower property values, that option would not generate sufficient income to maintain current levels. —and almost certain cutting of personnel in the fire department. They opted for the 2-mill levy after reviewing numbers from the county stating how much income each option would generate.

Presently, residents pay approximately $38 per $100,000 of home valuation annually on the current levy. That rate will increase to $61.25 per $100,000 valuation if the August 2-mill levy option passes.

Some residents questioned why there was a shortfall if the city was now billing insurance companies for ambulance rides.

Previously, Mayor Greg Zilka addressed the issue, saying money generated from the ambulance billing, which brought in $380,000 this year, went into the General Fund. Failure to approve the levy could result in a significant reduction of paramedic/firefighter personnel.

“Our General Fund is also running at a deficit,” Zilka said, noting that the $100,000 shortfall the fire department faced this year was paid from the General Fund.

Council has written a letter to the editor supporting the levy, saying to the health and safety of the residents and employees in the city.

Resident Mike Hellyar has spoken against the levy saying ambulance billing should be gong to the Paramedic Fund, not to the city’s General Fund to generate support for the levy.

Vote "Yes" to approve the levy; vote "No" if you do not support the levy.

Approval of Issue 4 will create a primary election for mayor and ward council representatives if three or more candidates run for office. Approval will result n a change to the city’s charter that requires the elected official receive a majority vote.

The decision came after the November 2011 election for Avon Lake mayor resulted in none of the candidates securing a majority vote and candidates were forced into a costly December runoff between the two leaders, K.C. Zuber and eventual winner Greg Zilak, paid by taxpayers. Zilka noted the extra election resulted in a reduced transition time.

Vote "Yes" to approve to charter change; "No" to keep the charter as is.