Pass levy for South Lorain County Ambulance District

A change in state law has complicated the campaign to pass a levy that the South Lorain County Ambulance District needs to survive. Although the 2.75-mill levy is listed as an additional levy on the ballot, it actually would replace a 3.25-mill levy that voters overwhelmingly renewed in 2021, the district's chief, Henry Smitley, told us. Unfortunately, because state lawmakers did away with replacement levies when they were tinkering with property tax rules last year, the district can't list the levy on the ballot as a replacement with a decrease in millage. "This is the same levy at a reduced millage," Smitley said. That means that voters could mistakenly believe that they're voting on whether to nearly double what they pay to support the district. That's not the case. The existing levy, which generates around $900,000 annually, would expire and be replaced by the new levy, identified on the ballot as Issue 9. Because of how property taxes are calculated, the new levy would generate a little less than $1.4 million per year, according to county Auditor Craig Snodgrass' office. To get that additional revenue, the owners of a home valued at $100,000 would pay about $96 per year, according to Snodgrass' office. When the existing levy was last renewed, the rate was about $86 per year for that same home. Had the district stuck with a 3.25-mill levy, the increase would have been between $50 and $60 per year, Smitley said. That would have meant the district would take in more money than it needed. In other words, the district is asking for a reasonable increase in funding at a reasonable rate. Smitley said the additional money the new levy would generate is necessary to keep up with inflation as well as to replace outdated equipment. The district sets aside money each year to pay for large capital expenditures such as heart monitors and ambulances, some of which have been in use for almost 15 years. The district's annual budget is roughly $1.6 million and the levy money is supplemented with charges to insurance companies and patients transported to local hospitals. Only folks who live outside the district are asked to pay additional fees, Smitley said. The district serves around 11,000 residents in the villages of Rochester and Wellington, along with the townships of Brighton, Huntington, Penfield, Rochester and Wellington. (Voters also should know that at around 125 square miles, the South Lorain County Ambulance District is the second largest ambulance district in the state) Smitley said the district's 34 paramedics and two EMTs went on about 1,700 runs last year, an increase from about 1,400 runs in 2024. Those numbers show how important the district's services are to the residents it serves. "If it fails, it definitely is not good," Smitley said. "We'd essentially go away." Yes, the district could try again in the fall if Issue 9 were to fail, but we hope that's not necessary. Despite the confusing circumstances surrounding Issue 9, the levy is crucial to maintaining emergency medical care in the district. Voters should pass it. This editorial has been updated.