GOLF MANOR, Ohio -- Officials from the Village of Golf Manor said they found a way to keep funding their fire station without raising taxes.
The Golf Manor Fire Department merged with the Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue District on Jan. 1. Golf Manor Fire Chief James Puthoff said the decision came down to numbers. They needed a new $800,000 truck, until they learned that Little Miami already had two.
"That's a huge problem that's solved," Puthoff said. "I mean, trying to come up with $800,000, you've got to go to the voters for a levy when you're a single-station fire department."
Golf Manor Mayor Ron Hirth estimated the change would save the village as much as $300,000 each year.
"We don't want to increase taxes. That's something that we're not going to want to do in the future, because honestly I think we're taxed enough as residents," he said.
Freeing up that money means some of it can go to other services, like "Chief," a new K-9 for the police department.
"It's been a great opportunity for our police department," Lt. Michael Forest said. "Our staffing is at an all-time high."
Hirth said he thinks the merger could become an example for other local governments looking for ways to save money.
"I think it's a great thing," he said.
