Despite negative impact on other taxing units Lawrence Co. Fire Territory approved for LIT revenue
LAWRENCE COUNTY - AUGUST 23,2023 - The Lawrence County council approved the local income tax revenues disbursements to the local township volunteer fire departments.
This includes Shawswick Township Volunteer Fire Department that still exists even with the creation of the Lawrence County Fire Territory.
The Lawrence County Fire Territory received an increase of $112,611 in LIT revenue and still applied for additional revenue from the local income tax.
Lawrence County Fire Territory impact on other taxing units:
Total impact of Lawrence County Fire Territory Impact from Local Income Tax - loss of $51,201
Bono Township - loss of $48
Guthrie Township - loss of $16,809
Indian Creek Township - loss of $281
Marion Township -loss of $874
Marshall Township - loss of $496
Perry Township -loss of $189
Pleasant Run Township - loss of $271
Shawswick Township - gain of $112,611
Spice Valley Township - loss of $273
Bedford Civil City - loss of $45,234
Mitchell Civil City - loss of $7,247
Oolitic Civil Town - loss of $765
North Lawrence Community School Corporation - Loss of $5,273
Mitchell Community Schools - loss of $2,833
Bedford Public Library - loss of $6,620
Mitchell Community Public Library - Loss of $1,718
Lawrence County Solid Waste District - $6,19
Despite the Lawrence County Council being provided the amount of money each volunteer fire department will receive the county council approved the distribution to every application.
The only council member to question the distribution was Rick Butterfield who asked Lawrence County Auditor Jessica Staggs if Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department qualifies for Local Income Tax distribution. Staggs told the council that Shawswick VFD did qualify.
The Special Fire Territory General Fund will receive $759,733 in 2024 and a total of $100,000 for equipment replacement in 2024.
The fire territory provides an ambulance service to Shawswick and Guthrie Townships and two paid firefighters on staff 24/7.
The Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department was never abolished with the formation of the fire territory.
The other fire departments include:
Huron VFD
Indian Creek Twp VFD
Marion Twp VFD
Marshall Twp. VFD
Perry Twp VFD
Pleasant Run Twp VFD
The Oolittic has not received any Local Option income public safety distribution since the inception of the tax. City of Mitchell is responsible for disbursal of the LIT revenues.
The biggest benefactor of the Local Option Income Tax is the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, Lawrence County Jail, and the City of Bedford.
The county local income tax pays for some staffing positions for both the police and fire departments.
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