TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH - Two northern communities in Trumbull County are looking to the voters for more money on critical services.

Vernon Township will have a replacement, increase levy on its ballot. 

The township gets its EMS services from Johnson Township with taxpayers currently paying for half and the township pulling money from their general fund for the rest. 

After the township agreed to keep Johnson EMS around through 2026, they’re asking the voters to pass this levy that would cover the full price tag of around $77,000 a year. Trustees said with only half of the township being taxable land the increase is needed. 

“Us as trustees we don’t want to raise taxes, that's the last thing we want but us being a small township we have to survive on the tax money that we bring in,” Jeffrey McGhee, a Vernon Township Trustees said. 

For a $100,000 home valuation it would cost $88 a year. 

If passed, the levy would also bring in a surplus of money for the fire department to get more equipment like thermal cameras, new jaws of life and later on down the road new trucks

If it fails the township will find a way to foot the bill for the contract so services aren't lost but will put it back on the ballot next election.

Cortland also has a levy on the ballot to sustain emergency services with its police department. 

The additional levy would cover the overtime cost for officers. Last year, the department had 4,000 hours of overtime because only full-timers fill in open shifts when someone goes out on vacation, sick or mandatory training. 

Voters shot down a similar levy last year in the city; the difference this time is the levy won't cover hiring any new officers.

“We scaled it down,” Chief David Morris of Cortland said. “...Voters told us no and we respect that so we came back this year and said well this levy is just to maintain what we have.”

For a $100,000 home valuation it would cost $53 a year. 

Chief Morris said if the levy fails they will have to consider dropping down to just one officer on shift at a time. 

Both areas will hold meeting for the public to ask questions. 

Vernon Township will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday Oct. 14 at 7p.m at the township administration building where trustees will be available to answer any questions. Trustee McGhee said he also welcomes voters to call him to discuss the levy at 330-240-2489.

Cortland will hold an informational meeting about its levy on Oct. 20 at 5:30p.m. in the Council Chambers. 

Other levies and ballot issues Trumbull County voter will see can be found here.