The possibility that Columbia Township residents who live in the Ridge Fire District may be asked to approve a fire levy this fall is growing closer to a probability.

The township’s Board of Trustees has voted to ask the Hamilton County Auditor to certify how much a 3.4-mill levy would cost homeowners in the Ridge Road-Highland Avenue area annually and how much it would generate for Columbia Township annually.

“After receiving the certification, the trustees will determine whether to pass a resolution to proceed to place a levy on the ballot, which would only affect the Ridge Fire District,” Columbia Township Administrator Michael Lemon said.

Township trustees David Kubicki, board president; Susan Hughes, board vice president, and Christos Kritikos were not immediately available for comment on whether they are leaning toward asking voters to approve a fire levy.

Lemon has said projections show a shortfall in the Ridge Fire District of more than $120,000 per year over the next five years without an increase in revenue.

Columbia Township has a three-year contract in which it will pay the Golf Manor Fire Department $355,000 this year, $360,000 next year and $370,000 the last year for fire and emergency-medical services in the township’s Ridge Fire District.

Other areas of Columbia Township are served by other fire departments and would not be affected by the possible levy under discussion.

The current fire levy millage in the Ridge Fire District is 6.77.

Want to know more about what is happening in Columbia Township? Follow me on Twitter @jeannehouck.

Who is affected?

The Ridge Fire District includes the Ridge Road and Highland Avenue business district, the Ridgewood subdivision and township streets off Kennedy Avenue.

Streets involved are Blueridge Avenue, Brackenridge Avenue, Charloe Street, Cliffridge Avenue, Crestridge Circle, Dogwood Lane, Donald Drive, Highland Avenue, Hill and Dale Drive, Kennedy Avenue, Kenoak Lane, Losantiridge Avenue, Lucille Drive, Monardi Circle, Ridge Circle, Ridge Road, Ridgewood Avenue and Viewpoint Drive.