Summit County Issue 49 — Copley Township proposed tax levy (additional)

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:03 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Copley Township voters

What it does
An additional tax for the benefit of Copley Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire-alarm communications, for the payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs under Ohio Revised Code Sections 5705.19, 5705.19(I) and 5705.191 that the county fiscal officer estimates will collect $1,378,825 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.7 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $60 for each $100,000 of the county fiscal officer’s market value, for 3 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
A YES vote means
Copley Township would levy an additional tax of up to 1.7 mills ($60 per $100,000 of the county fiscal officer's market value) for fire equipment, buildings, personnel and emergency medical services, for 3 years starting in 2026.
A NO vote means
Copley Township would not levy this additional 1.7-mill fire tax.
What it would cost
Up to 1.7 mills for 3 years. The ballot puts the cost at $60 a year for each $100,000 of the county fiscal officer’s market value. Your tax bill or county auditor shows your home's value.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Copley Township Trustees adopted Resolution 2026-74, requesting certification of a 1.7-mill additional Fire Department levy, on June 22, 2026. They adopted Resolution 2026-92 to submit the three-year additional levy to voters on July 27, 2026.

According to May 2026 minutes, the Fire Department runs mainly on two continuing levies from 2019 and 2020 totaling 7.5 mills. Township staff said state law (HB 96) removed the township's ability to use replacement levies, leaving an additional levy as the only option.

At the June 22 meeting, Fire Chief Bower cited inflation, rising payroll costs and upcoming equipment replacements, including a ladder truck bought in 1995. In May, he estimated the department needed at least $1.5 million a year in additional funding.

Put on the ballot by Copley Township Board of Trustees, July 27, 2026 (Resolution 2026-92).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3, official source 4.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Summit County Issue 49 mean?
Copley Township would levy an additional tax of up to 1.7 mills ($60 per $100,000 of the county fiscal officer's market value) for fire equipment, buildings, personnel and emergency medical services, for 3 years starting in 2026.
What does a NO vote on Summit County Issue 49 mean?
Copley Township would not levy this additional 1.7-mill fire tax.
How many votes does Summit County Issue 49 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Summit County Issue 49?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Summit County ballot.

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