Ohio voters approve tax increase for EMS, cut fire levy

By Ryan Cohick
cleveland.com

MEDINA, Ohio — Wadsworth voters approved an increase in the city’s emergency medical services property tax levy Tuesday, providing additional funding to address record emergency call volumes while also backing a reduction in a separate fire levy.

The five-year EMS measure received 6,056 votes in favor, or 57.47%, compared with 4,482 votes against, or 42.53%, according to complete unofficial results from the Medina County Board of Elections.

| RIDE THE WAVE WEEK: Using capnography to guide care

All 124 Election Day precincts in Medina County were listed as complete. The results remain unofficial pending certification.

The approved measure renews the existing 3-mill EMS levy and adds 1 mill, bringing the total to 4 mills. It is expected to generate approximately $2.52 million annually, compared with the current $1.61 million.

The increase will cost homeowners an additional $35 annually for every $100,000 in appraised property value, raising the annual cost from $52.52 to $87.52, according to the Medina County auditor. Collections will begin in 2028.

City officials have said the increase is needed to keep pace with growing demand for emergency medical services. EMS calls climbed from just over 2,000 annually in 2016 to more than 3,200 in 2025. As of June, calls in 2026 were running about 6% ahead of the previous year’s record pace.

Public Safety Director Dan Chafin previously told City Council that rising call volumes, staffing costs and operational expenses were straining the existing EMS levy.

He said the city would likely need to add at least three full-time firefighter-paramedics over the next five years to maintain emergency response capabilities.

Voters also approved a separate proposal to reduce the city’s fire levy from 1.5 mills to 0.5 mill. That measure received 6,953 votes in favor, or 66.16%, compared with 3,556 against, or 33.84%.

City officials proposed the fire levy reduction to help offset the EMS tax increase, citing healthy financial reserves in the fund used for equipment purchases and debt payments.

Trending

Recruitment & Retention

Mich. FD offers nearly $72K salary to attract new firefighters, paramedics

The program lets candidates with partial certifications earn $71,966 while completing paramedic training, as Dearborn works to hire 16 firefighters and raise staffing to its highest level in 119 years amid a statewide paramedic shortage

November 03, 2026 09:25 AM

Stolen Ambulance

Patient dies after stealing, crashing Mass. ambulance

Worcester police say the patient stole a Coastal Medical Transport Systems ambulance from the Hospital for Behavioral Medicine before crashing it in neighboring West Boylston, sustaining life-threatening injuries

November 02, 2026 03:58 PM

Patient Transportation

Driver of private Ohio ambulance service accused of abandoning patient, calling Uber home

The EMS provider reportedly got lost transporting a woman with chest pain to Cleveland Clinic, then told her he was done for the day and called an Uber home; a Cleveland EMS unit responded and completed her care

November 02, 2026 09:41 AM

 · 

Bill Carey

Legislation and Funding

Mo. county ambulance district returns with smaller sales tax ask

St. Charles County Ambulance District warns a failed .375% sales tax would leave 18 paramedic positions unfilled amid rapid county growth, months after voters rejected a 1% proposal, as a lawmaker notes the district already holds $36.8 million in unobligated funds

November 02, 2026 03:55 PM

©2026 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit cleveland.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.