Former Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards spoke at the Oct. 20 Bowling Green bi-monthly city council meeting in support of the city’s proposed tax levy.
The levy includes a 0.15% income tax increase that will help fund the construction of two new fire stations. The levy will be decided by Bowling Green voters on Election Day on Nov. 4.
Edwards is a part of the city’s fire and EMS committee and said the passing of the levy would be beneficial for the city.
“We have been particularly concerned about the dramatic increase in demand for emergency services. It is projected in 2025 that demand for emergency services will surpass 4,000 calls. Now we look to the voters of the city of Bowling Green in the hope that a yes vote will make a significant difference in the delivery of fire EMS services in the city,” said Edwards.
Edwards also said the levy will help improve fire equipment and will help the city be proficient in its response times.
“A yes vote in support of a 0.15% tax on earned income will also provide for the replacement of the aging ladder truck and provide for other much-needed fire emergency equipment to better serve the citizens of Bowling Green,” said Edwards. “The goal in Bowling Green is always to reach most citizens in four minutes or less and this levy will help to make that optimal response time possible for nearly 90% of the homes in Bowling Green.”
Also during the council meeting, Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher announced that Bowling Green was awarded a “Best Placemaking” award presented by Heritage Ohio.
“This is an award that honors the people, places and projects that exemplify commitment to growth through preservation and revitalization,” said Aspacher. “Now the group most responsible for the success of this project and receiving this award is our planning director, Heather Sayler, who’s with us tonight and several members of the historic preservation commission, that whole commission worked very hard as a group.”
Bowling Green City Council meets every first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers at 305 N. Main Street.
