Liberty Township to hold public meeting on EMS/fire contracts

The Liberty Township Trustees Board of Trustees has scheduled an open meeting to seek public comments and opinions from area residents regarding the township's pending decision on EMS and fire coverage.

The trustees will meeting Tuesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at Hills and Dales Training Center, located at 8919 U.S. 50 east.

Trustee Jerry Williams told The Highland County Press this week that there are tough decision ahead, and the officials need input from the residents who will be impacted.

"We want to hear what the people think," Williams said. "The meeting is totally going to be about the fire and EMS contracts. It will be an open discussion. We want to have all the trustees there, the prosector there, and have an open forum to try to answer what questions we can."

Liberty, along with Hamer, Jackson, New Market and Washington townships, have contracted with the city of Hillsboro for EMS and fire services through December 2012. Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, legal counsel to the townships, has previously said that city officials have stated that as of 2013 the townships will either be a part of a fire district the city has proposed forming, or they will have to go elsewhere for the services.

There have been no hard figures released on a levy for the proposed Hillsboro fire district, but some trustees had previously said it was expected to be between 5 mills and 5.2 mills.

Williams said that Liberty Township trustees have no yet reached a final decision, and the public's comments will all be taken into consideration.

He said the options being considered include forming a fire district with the city, contracting with an existing fire district, and forming a district with other townships without the city.

Paint Township contracted with the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District in March, and in June 2011 Penn Township gave up its contract with the city and jointed the Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District.

"We're looking at all the information, and the other townships are doing the same thing," Williams said. "They're in the process of setting up meetings too.

Hamer Township has scheduled a public forum for Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Hamer Township House, 4844 S.R 138 Old Danville.

Representatives from other townships told The Highland County Press this week that they are considering holding public forums, as well.

"We've looked at all the options, and we're looking at other things," Williams said. "We're up against a wall and we have to make a decision and do something. But we haven't totally agreed about what we're going to do yet. We want to make sure everybody is on board.

"We have to hear what the people think," Williams said. "We're trying to figure out the best way to go, and how to keep the the millage down."

The New Market Township trustees meet at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the New Market Township Building.