VERMILION TWP — Vermilion Township Fire Department officials reported another active month for EMS calls, equipment repairs and hose testing during the township trustees’ June 3 regular meeting, while a broader discussion over how to fund future fire and emergency medical services remains unresolved.
Fire Chief Frank Triana reported that the department handled 47 EMS runs from May 1 through May 31. Those calls included three mutual aid responses to the City of Vermilion, five motor vehicle crashes, one open burn, four residential fire alarms and one mutual aid fire call to the city.
The department had 294 runs year-to-date.
Triana also reported that hose testing was conducted May 13. One 3-inch hose and one 1 3/4-inch hose failed and were removed from service. Several 5-inch hoses with pinholes were repaired, but one 100-foot section of 5-inch large-diameter hose will need to be replaced because of pinholes throughout the hose.
Squad 811 has also returned to front-line service after lighting issues were repaired. Triana said the repair required replacement of a circuit board and a computer board.
Levy Timing Discussed, But No Action Taken
After giving his report, Triana asked trustees whether they supported pursuing an additional fire levy in November and, if so, what millage the board would consider.
No levy resolution was introduced or approved during the meeting.
Trustee Kenn Baughman said he believes the township should consider sending a two-mill levy request to voters. He said the additional levy would be added to the existing 1.65-mill levy, bringing the total to 3.65 mills.
Baughman estimated the two additional mills could generate about $900,000 annually, although he said that was his estimate and not an official figure from the county auditor.
He said the money could help pay for EMS services and staffing while also building reserves for future equipment purchases.
“Our equipment is antique,” Baughman said, referring to fire equipment he described as 15 to 20 years old.
Baughman said a new fire truck could cost around $1 million. Even if the township saved $100,000 per year, he said, it would take about 10 years to purchase one truck.
“We don’t have 10 years,” he said.
Baughman said the first step would be sending a resolution of necessity to the county auditor to determine how much a levy would generate. That step would not automatically place the issue on the ballot. A second resolution would be needed later to send the question to the Board of Elections.
He also noted election timing, saying resolutions of necessity would need to be passed by July 2026, with a resolution to proceed submitted to the Board of Elections by Aug. 3.
Feasibility Study Still Pending
Trustee Don Rowe said he wanted to wait for the results of an ongoing feasibility study before moving forward with any levy request.
Rowe said he did not want to ask voters for an amount that might later prove too low.
“I want a hard number,” Rowe said.
Rowe said the study could provide more information about what funding level would be needed for a long-term solution. He also said other options have been discussed, including a possible 1% county sales tax.
Baughman disagreed with waiting, saying a countywide study may not answer Vermilion Township’s specific funding needs. He said other townships are also facing EMS funding problems and may not be able to support one another.
He also raised concern about relying on a countywide levy or sales tax, saying the township would have less control over how the money is used.
“If our residents say it’s worth it to pay that additional two mills, then it’s our choice,” Baughman said.
The board ended the discussion without taking action. The next regular trustees meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 1.