GIRARD — Girard city officials are reaching out to Liberty and Weathersfield townships to see if they may be interested in forming a joint fire district.

One key element to such an organization would be agreement on a levy based on property taxes to cover fire district expenses.

Mayor James Melfi said Girard council late last year gave its approval for officials to look into what would be involved in creating a district with the city’s neighboring communities.

Melfi and Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert are expected to reach out to these communities to see if there would be an interest and then inform council at its next meeting 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 of what has been discussed.

“We want to at least see what options are available, if we could have a fire district to serve different communities,” Melfi said.

He said based on geography, Liberty and Weathersfield would be first communities to reach out to, then possibly others such as McDonald.

Melfi said the Cardinal Joint Fire District in Mahoning County has been successful. He said Poland, Hubbard and Newton Falls also have fire districts.

WHY NOW?

The goal of fire district would be to have a fire district levy based on property taxes to cover expenses, instead of having to take funds from the general fund to cover costs and expenses for the fire department.

Melfi said the city pays $1.6 million out of its general fund in addition to a current fire levy that generates $300,000, meaning total costs to cover the fire department are nearly $2 million.

“A goal would be to help save money and not put the burden on the general fund,” Melfi said.

Lambert said the idea of possible regionalization of fire department service is worth exploring.

Such efforts have been discussed in the past.

“Many communities are facing challenges, so we are looking at ways to help save money and address issues,” said Fourth-Ward Councilman Thomas Grumley, safety committee chairman.

FACT-FINDING

Weathersfield Trustee Chairman Steve Gerberry said trustees would be willing to hear what would need to take place in forming such a district.

“We would want to find out and know all the facts on how this would benefit our residents and the township before we make a decision,” Gerberry said.

He said he believes a letter was received from Mefli about the matter.

Gerberry said he may attend the Feb. 22 council meeting to hear more.

“The trustees are willing to sit down and discuss this,” he said, noting Weathersfield trustees would want input from the fire chief and firefighters.

Liberty officials also are willing to hear how neighboring communities can work together.

“We are always open to look at ways to work together. We can meet with Girard and talk about this. What we need to see is how feasible a fire district would be and how such a collaboration would work with multiple communities involved and costs involved,” Liberty Trustee Arnie Clebone said.

Clebone said Liberty has been fortunate to cover costs for its fire department with a levy and rarely using the general fund, unless borrowing and then paying back.

“We pay for our fire service with a levy. If a district would form, what costs would be involved and how would that affect Liberty?” he asked.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com