A levy language error will put one Sandusky County township back on the ballot in November.
Washington Township has long used a levy to pay for fire service, set in recent years at 1.5 mills. Township officials sought to raise the levy to 2.5 mills in November, and voters overwhelmingly approved that five-year levy.
But the ballot language was wrongly worded, prompting the Ohio Department of Taxation to rule that only the 1.5 mills could be collected.
While several governmental offices reviewed the language that was approved by township trustees, the mistake originated with the Sandusky County Prosecutor’s office, acknowledged County Prosecutor Thomas Stierwalt.
The Lindsey Volunteer Fire Department brought the issue up at a recent Sandusky County Commissioners’ meeting, as the department is one of three that provide fire service for the township. The village had negotiated an increased rate in its latest fire contract, with the understanding that the township would ask voters to approve a larger levy, said Deputy Fire Chief Jason Conklin.