MADISON TOWNSHIP — Voters here turned down two tax requests and a natural gas aggregation proposal, according to final unofficial returns from the Richland County Board of Elections.
The fire levy, at 2.5 mills, was opposed by 2,055 voters and supported by 1,588. Township officials estimated it would bring in $542,715 a year for five years, covering fire and ambulance equipment, EMS, personnel and related costs. For a $100,000 home, the cost was estimated at $88 annually. Trustee Dan Fletcher said fire and emergency medical response would continue while officials review operations. He said he would support putting the levies before voters again in May, though he said he could not speak for the board.
The 4-mill road levy failed with 2,202 opposed and 1,419 in support. Officials projected $868,345 annually over five years for road and bridge construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repairs; the owner of a $100,000 home would have paid about $140 yearly. Fletcher had said it would let the township repave about seven miles and plan to resurface all 70 miles over a decade. Current annual paving is about three miles, which would take roughly 23 years to cover every road mile.
Voters opposed the gas aggregation 1,897 to 1,616. Fletcher said it was not a levy and would not raise taxes; it would have let trustees negotiate gas supply for residents and small businesses, with the utility still handling delivery, meters, billing and emergencies. Participation would be automatic unless residents opted out at no charge. He said aggregation offered a fixed price for a set period, not a guaranteed lower rate.