By Ed Richter, staff writer
Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
Copyright 2006 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.
CARLISLE, Ohio — City Council had plenty of “what if” questions but few answers about how possible changes with the Franklin Division of Fire will affect them as well as the Joint Emergency Medical Services District.
Last week the council discussed the latest developments in the on again, off again joint fire district study that had been in the works for nearly a year but was extinguished the week before by Franklin City Council’s Finance Committee.
Franklin is looking at operating its own fire and EMS department.
Concerns have now been raised about how that would affect the JEMS district since Franklin provides nearly half of its tax revenues for operations.
Carlisle Councilman Dennis Bowles, who represents Carlisle on the JEMS Board, said he believes JEMS could survive with the Franklin Twp. and Carlisle separate but there would have to be some changes.
JEMS may have to downsize from five to three ambulances, he said.
“Right now, we’re still in a ‘what if’ scenario,” Bowles said.
Mayor Jerry Ellender asked for a projection of how it would operate without Franklin. The information is so the council can decide whether Carlisle will need to go to the ballot for additional tax dollars to fund its fire service. The city has until August to decide if will go for a ballot issue in November.
Councilman Tim Humphries asked if both city councils and the township trustees should meet to discuss the issue further.
“We’re all neighbors and we need to get along,” he said. “This is for the people.”