*Note: This is a reader-submitted opinion piece. Opinions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@crawfordcountynow.com

I just wanted to let the residents of the City of Bucyrus know information about issues that deem important to them. So I will keep this short and sweet.

Currently property owners pay a Police and Fire Pension Tax of .300 millage on both of these. It basically costs you under $ 10.00 per year (+/- on your valuation of your property). I have requested a Public Records Request for the last three years on this subject. Kali Lewis, Bucyrus City Auditor has provided the requested information.

Police Pension

Year

  

Cost paid out

  

Levy brings in

  

Outstanding balance
2021 $ 243,477.98 $ 50,636.10 $ 192,841.88
2022 $ 243,397.16 $ 54,467.54 $ 188,929.62
2023 $ 261,998.45 $ 55,515.20 $ 206,483.25
Fire Pension

Year

  

Cost paid out

  

Levy brings in

  

Outstanding balance
2021 $ 257,483.11 $ 50,636.10 $ 206,847.01
2022 $ 371,464.86 $ 54,467.54 $ 316,997.32
2023 $ 517,102.08 $ 55,515.20 $ 461,586.88

According to Kali Lewis, “Any in excess would come from either the General Fund (101) or the Safety Forces Levy (202)”.

By just using 2023, the City of Bucyrus had to use $ 668,070.13 from these two funds for payment of these two pensions. Plus, this does not take into account the salaries, health plans, and other benefits that are in their contracts. This also doesn’t include other employees of the Police Department, only Police officers. But includes all Firefighters and the Fire Chief on their pension.

As you can see, the current levies do not cover these costs. That the General Fund and the Safety Forces Levy will continue to take big hits on this issue and other issues until council members come up with a plan to address these issues.

I believe that they will come after the out-of-town workers again. Anytime they need money, that subject always comes up. Some of you might disagree with me, but everyone gets the same level of services and everyone should pay for said services.

I hope that the editor will include the records request that this information was taken from. Respectfully submitted,

Greg White

1125 Hillcrest Dr.

Bucyrus, Ohio 44820