Owensville aldermen in a public safety committee meeting Monday agreed to meet again at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, to continue discussion on a proposal to seek voter approval in April 2025 to form a tax-supported fire district.

Two previous efforts at establishing a levied tax to support fire department operations for an approximately  239-square mile area failed to gain voter approval by the narrowest margins. The one on Nov. 6, 2001, failed by just 21 votes in a 16-percent voter turnout (366 in favor and 387 against). That proposal for a 25-cent levy would have affected approximately 7,000 county residents including 2,500 in Owensville. It gained approval only in Mt. Sterling and Bay precinct polling.

A second proposal on April 2, 2002, failed by 34 votes with approval only in the Mt. Sterling community with a 21-percent voter turnout (707 votes against with 673 voting in favor).

Owensville Fire Department Chief Jeff Arnold estimates the all volunteer department needs approximately $500,000 annually to meet the ongoing needs to equip its 40 members and keep firefighting apparatus and personal protective gear current with safety guidelines. Support from the city’s general fund ($120,000) and dues collected by the department’s rural fire association ($105,000) equips two Owensville fire houses and one in Mt. Sterling on $225,000 annually. Arnold said a 30-cent levy on personal property and real estate would generate an estimated $350,000. A half-cent sales tax is estimated to generate $500,000 annually while a levy of 40 cents per $100 of assessed valuation would bring in around $470,000 — a figure comparable to tax levies supporting neighboring districts.