Leroy Township voters approved a five-year, 3-mill additional levy to cover fire department expenses during the May 2 special election.

The levy was approved in a 221-184 vote, according to unofficial final results from the Lake County Board of Elections.

Board data indicated that there were 2,427 registered voters in Leroy Township as of May 2.

“We’re just happy that it passed,” said Fire Chief Michael Toman, adding, “Thank our community for their continued support.”

The levy will generate $413,083 every year and cost taxpayers $105 annually per $100,000 in property valuation, according to data from the Lake County Auditor’s Office.

The new levy replaces a five-year, 2-mill levy that was first passed in 2005 and last renewed in November 2020, Toman previously explained. Revenue provided through that levy has not increased since 2005, despite the construction of 91 new houses in that time.

“When a new house is built and occupied, it doesn’t raise the income that we bring in,” he said. “It actually lessens the tax on the other citizens.”

Toman noted the department is seeking to increase pay for firefighters and cover other rising costs.

“The pay is basically the biggest thing,” he said.

According to Toman, pay for the township’s firefighter-paramedics starts at $16 an hour. He compared that figure to other fire departments in Lake County that offer starting wages of at least $18 an hour.

“I have three full-time firefighters that were here pretty much all last summer,” he said. “It takes them away from their families. It’s not healthy because they don’t get the rest that they need, and that’s what we’re trying to stop.”

Toman added that some firefighters had 600 hours of overtime last year. The department works to maintain at least two firefighters on duty.

According to a Board of Elections summary document, the levy will begin this year and the first payments will be due in 2024.