By Colin McEwen
Record-Courier staff writer
Ravenna Township Trustees are considering cutbacks to the fire department if the proposed 1.43-mill levy does not pass March 4.
The levy would generate more than $200,000 for the fire department, which failed to meet its budget in 2007.
The largest expense for the township is the fire department, with a nearly $400,000 budget, but the township spent $785,000 last year.
Trustee Bob Cherry said the township "could see significant cutbacks in service if the levy doesn't pass."
"Our expenses are outweighing the income," he said, adding federal mandates also contribute to the problem. "Our good intentions were burned by too much money."
Trustees discussed cutting one firefighter from a shift of four.
Trustee Pat Artz said the steadily rising overtime costs are a factor and need to be addressed.
"We'll do what we have to do," she said. "Our overtime costs are higher than they should be. Most expenses don't change -- the only way to save money is to cut down on help."
She said cutting back one person per 24-hour shift, could save the township as much as $50,000 per year.
Trustee Hank Gibson said the fire department's costs consume "most of our budget."
"We have to look at ways to cut costs," he said.
* Also discussed at the meeting was the annual bill received from the Portage County Regional Planning, with a proposed increase in dues by nearly $2,500.
Trustees discussed the rate hike, but decided to take a "wait and see" attitude.
"I wonder what would happen if we said no," Cherry said.
In January, the township paid the $4,987 that was owed, and this weekend got a notice requesting another $2,448 to pay for dues.
The rates are based on the amount of residents, which went from 50-cents per capita to 75-cents per-capita.
"I think we should sit on this and see what happens," said Cherry.