(6-26-24) On Monday night at the Celina City Council meeting a resolution was passed to create and participate in the Mercer County Joint Ambulance District. If the district is approved by other communities a property tax levy would be placed on the November 5th general election ballot to pay for additional paramedics and firefighters in portions of the county.

Besides Celina 10 of the Mercer County’s 14 townships and the communities of Coldwater, Rockford, Mendon and Montezuma would be included in the district…they will need to approve the same plan. Coldwater, Mendon and Rockford councils at their meeting this week have approved joining the district.

A shortage of volunteers and paramedics in all areas of the county is the concern of all the communities and are looking for a solution to the problem.

Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel said that an attempt could be made for a 1.4% tax levy, that would pay for four full-time paramedics, a paid-on-call system for volunteers and six more full-time paramedics at the Celina Fire Department. Initial thoughts on a property tax levy ranged from 0.75%-1% to hire four full-time paramedics and move to a paid-on-call system for volunteers.

Updated to story—

NOTICE OF MEETING

BY THE MERCER COUNTY JOINT AMBULANCE DISTRICT

An organizational meeting will be held by the Mercer County Joint Ambulance District on Monday, July 8 at 7:30 pm.  The meeting will be held in the first floor conference room of the Central Services Building.  As stated, the newly-formed district will organize and may also consider to levy a tax for the benefit of emergency medical services within the district.

Submitted on behalf of the Mercer County Joint Ambulance District

Village of Rockford

Resolution 05-24 – Approved at Special Meeting held on 06/25/2024 :

Resolution # 05-24

Resolution to Approve the Creation and Participation in the Mercer County Joint Ambulance District

Whereas, the undersigned, Council of the Village of Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio, being the duly elected legislative authority of the said municipal corporation, has determined that it is in the best interest of the health, welfare, and safety of its citizens to join together with other townships and villages to provide ambulance services for the benefit of their respective townships and villages;

NOW THEREFORE, the said Village Council hereby approves and resolves, by a majority of its members, the creation and participation in a joint ambulance district, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code as currently provided or as may be amended from time to time in the future, to meet the needs of its respective citizens for ambulance services; and,

The said Village Council hereby appoints Marcas Heitkamp to serve as its duly appointed representative to the Board of Trustees of the Mercer County Joint Ambulance District, to serve at the pleasure of the said Village Council, with compensation as provided by law and lawful enactments of the Board of Trustees of the Mercer County Joint Ambulance District.