Support our Firefighters

The Current Challenge

Our firefighters face growing challenges every day. This levy helps ensure they have the resources to keep us safe.

Critical Situation

Our fire department is facing unprecedented challenges. Aging equipment, insufficient staffing, and budget constraints are putting our community at risk.

Every minute counts in an emergency. Right now, our response times are falling behind national standards, and our firefighters are stretched thin trying to cover growing service areas with outdated resources.

Without action, these challenges will only worsen, putting lives and property at greater risk.

12+ min

Average Response Time

Above the 8-minute national standard

71%

Call Increase

Critical shortage of trained personnel

7+

Aging Equipment

Vehicle avg 9+ years old

17%

Village Share of Calls

The village only contributes 7% funding

Service Call Distribution

Imagine living near a station, but everyone is on calls 15 minutes away.

Current stations are show as white circles. This graphic is a simplified heatmap distribution.

What the Levy will Achieve

Rallying support to keep our firefighters ready and safe.

Modern Equipment

Replace aging fire trucks and purchase state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and technology.

Building New Stations

Drastically improve response times by constructing additional stations.

Investment in Our Future

These improvements aren't just upgrades—they're essential investments in the safety and well-being of every person in our community. Every second counts in an emergency.

Additional Staff

Retain 6 staff members currently funded by expiring federal grant and staff up new stations.

Exiting Joint Services

The township will exit the joint district Jan 1 2027, securing our tax dollars.

Transparent Cost Breakdown

We believe in complete transparency.
Here's exactly what the levy will cost and how it compares to everyday expenses.

Less than 5 Lattes per month

Cheaper than the monthly coffee habit.

Less than two streaming services

Cheaper than your Netflix and Disney+ subscriptions.

Less than that one impulse buy

We've all gotten those social media ads.

Put it in Perspective

Average Household

Based on median home value of $200,000

Commercial Real Estate

Based on average commercial property value of $500,000

Annual Cost Increase

Monthly Cost Increase

That's a nominal annual increase of $151.77 per $100k increase in property value.*

$25.30

$303.54

$758.85

Annual Cost Increase

*Note that the levy on that ballot says $333 per $100k. That's because by exiting the joint district we're eliminating the existing levys.

$63.24

Monthly Cost Increase

Less than a dollar a day is a small price for safety

If the Levy Doesn't Pass

Slower Response Times

Emergency response times will continue to exceed safe standards, potentially increasing to 15+ minutes.

Deteriorating Equipment

Aging fire trucks and ambulances will become unreliable, leading to more frequent breakdowns - even during emergencies.

Staffing Crisis

20% reduction in emergency staff personnel. Reduced training. Exhausted crews. Unsustainable workloads.

Community Safety at Risk

Inability to meet community needs and maintain adequate life saving responses.

The Stakes Are Real

Every minute of delayed response increases the risk of property loss and endangers lives. Our firefighters are already stretched to their limits.

Without new funding, we risk falling further behind safety standards, potentially facing state intervention or loss of insurance ratings that could increase homeowner costs significantly.

The Choice is Clear

Invest a small amount now in essential fire and EMS protection, or risk facing far greater costs—both financial and human—in the future.

What is being proposed?

Batavia Township Trustees are proposing a new fire and EMS levy to fund a Batavia Township Fire Department. If approved by voters, the Township would withdraw from the Central Joint Fire & EMS District (CJFED) and operate its own fire and EMS services. The stated goal is to maintain current service levels while providing stable funding to support future growth.

Why is this being considered now?

On November 20, 2025, the Township Trustees held a Special Meeting to discuss a proposed township fire levy Currently, Batavia Township and the Village of Batavia are served by CJFED. The district is funded by a levy covering all taxable real estate in both jurisdictions at the same rate. Due to economic development incentives — including County Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and the Village’s Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) abatements — funding to CJFED has been reduced. A joint levy placed on the November 2025 ballot failed, prompting the Township to evaluate a dedicated Township solution.

How does the cost compare to the failed CJFED levy?

If the failed November 2025 CJFED levy had passed: Fire & EMS taxes would have totaled approximately $360.47 per $100,000 of property value. Under the proposed Batavia Township levy: Fire & EMS taxes are projected to be approximately $330 per $100,000 of property value. That represents roughly $30.47 less per $100,000 of property value compared to the failed joint levy. For example: A $200,000 home would have paid about $720.94 annually under the failed levy. Under the proposed Township levy, that same home would pay approximately $660 annually. Final amounts will depend on certified valuations and official ballot language.

I’ve heard that the Village is paying less for fire service than the township, is this true?

There is a disproportionate usage versus contribution within CJFED: The Village of Batavia accounts for approximately 17% of total CJFED service calls. The Village contributes approximately 7% of the total fire district tax revenue. This imbalance places greater financial strain on Township taxpayers.

What will the levy fund?

If approved, the levy would provide funding for: Firefighter and EMS staffing, Equipment and apparatus replacement, operational stability & planning and construction of future fire stations within the Township. Township officials state the goal is to maintain current service levels while planning for future growth.

When would the transition occur?

If the levy passes, the Township has indicated plans to:  Withdraw from CJFED effective January 1, 2027, Establish and operate its own Fire Department at that time, and ensure a seamless transfer of emergency services for Township residents

What happens if the levy does not pass?

If the Township levy fails: Fire and EMS services would remain under CJFED unless another solution is approved. Existing funding challenges would continue. There would be no dedicated Township funding source for new stations or expanded services. CJFED could place another levy on the ballot in the future — potentially at a higher rate — which could further increase costs for Township taxpayers, while homeowners in the Village who receive tax abatements would experience a comparatively smaller impact.

Is the Township working with the Village?

Yes. Township Trustees have stated they remain open to discussions with the Village of Batavia regarding fire and EMS services. At the same time, Trustees have emphasized their responsibility to protect Township financial stability and public safety. Any agreement reached with the Village, they have said, must be fair and equitable and ensure that Township residents are not disproportionately burdened with funding fire and EMS services outside the Township.

What happens to the current Central Joint Fire & EMS District staff?

Township Trustees have publicly stated that retaining the current firefighters and EMS personnel is a priority. If the levy passes and the Township transitions to its own Fire Department: There would be a structured transition period. The intent is to retain existing CJFED personnel. The goal is uninterrupted service and continuity of experienced staff. The proposal focuses on funding structure — not replacing current emergency responders.

I live in Glenwood Trail. I’ve been told I’m in a TIF neighborhood and my property taxes don’t go to fire and EMS services. Is that true?

Certain neighborhoods in Batavia Township — including Forest Glen, Glenwood Trails, Lexington Run, and Vista Meadows — are located within areas covered by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements. Under these agreements, a significant portion of the property tax revenue that would normally support fire and EMS services is redirected to the County. Township officials estimate that approximately $1 million per year that would otherwise support fire services is currently redirected due to these TIF agreements. If the proposed Township levy passes, funding allocated specifically for fire and EMS under the new structure would remain with the Township, helping ensure fire service dollars stay local.

Will the CJFED levies that are currently in place go away?

Yes. If Batavia Township establishes its own Fire Department and withdraws from the Central Joint Fire & EMS District (CJFED), the existing CJFED levies would no longer apply to Township properties. Those levies would be removed from Township tax bills and replaced with the approved Batavia Township Fire levy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Vote

Vote Early!

You have a whole month. No excuses!

Clermont County Board of Elections
2026 PRIMARY/SPECIAL ELECTION

May 5, 2026

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE - April 6 open until 9 p.m.
You can register in person and online

WHERE TO VOTE?
76 S Riverside Dr, Batavia, OH

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS
April 7-10 // 8a - 5p
April 13-17 // 8a - 5p
April 20-24 // 8a - 5p
April 27 // 7:30a - 7:30p
April 28 // 7:30a - 8:30p
April 29-May 1 // 7:30a - 7:30p
May 2 // 8a - 4p
May 3 // 1p - 5p

Website

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Endorsed by Friends of Batavia Township Fire PAC. Contact at bataviatownshipfirepac@gmail.com - Follow us on Facebook

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