On Friday afternoon, Austintown township trustees and the fire chief met for the first of two required meetings to discuss putting a 3 mill levy for the fire department on the ballot in November.

If approved the levy would generate approximately $2 million and help the department avoid making any potential cuts to the services they provide. 

Fire chief Andy Frost, says inflation and labor shortages are two major contributors behind the need for more funding. Frost tells 21 News the fire department responds to more than 5,000 calls yearly, and reached an all time high in 2022.

If the levy fails to garner enough support, Frost says the fire department will have to face difficult choices.

"If we don't take care of that now, it's just going to get worse and we're going  to have to make cuts in order to do that. And when I say cuts I mean manpower cuts and service cuts," Frost said. 

Township administrator Mark D'Apolito, says American Rescue Plan funds and grants from the federal government helped stabilize the townships fire and EMS department, but those funds are now dwindling and this levy is their last resort.

The next meeting will be on Monday, July 24th at 6 p.m. when officials will determine if the levy will reach the ballot in November.