Hanover trustees discuss levy outcome, data center moratorium

The Hanover Township Board of Trustees discussed the recent failure of the fire district levy, an Ohio Legislature proposal to eliminate property taxes and a moratorium on data centers at its meeting on May 20.

Fire levy

During the May 5 primary election, a levy intended to fund the overwhelming majority of the Hanover Township Fire District budget was rejected, with over 55% of voters against the levy.

The levy would have collected over $1.6 million annually for the fire district and gone toward providing and maintaining fire equipment and buildings, paying for firefighters, communications and emergency medical service personnel, among other resources, according to Hanover Township Administrator Bruce Henry.

Trustee Diana Ramsey said of the levy, “It’s a very unfortunate thing that it didn’t pass… We’ll have to step forward and make some decisions and come back in the fall and see what we can do as far as passing a levy.”

This is the second time the township’s fire district levy has been rejected by voters, as it was also voted down during the November 2025 general election. This year was the last collection year for the district’s current levy.

Hanover Fire Chief Fred Stitsinger and the trustees agreed to schedule a workshop meeting in the coming days to discuss what the rest of the year will look like and how to proceed with this November election.

The fire department is using some carryover funds from last year’s budget, and the board voted to divert $300,000 from the general fund to the fire fund during an April meeting.

Stitsinger told the board during the May 20 meeting, “People are asking, ‘Do we need to leave? Do we need to look for another job?’”

According to Henry, the total amount in the fire budget should cover the department through December. 

Trustee Douglas Johnson said, “We realize we’ve got one more bite at the apple in November… At this debriefing meeting we’re going to come up with shortly, I think you’ll see a sensible millage.”

Property tax proposal

The board also passed a resolution opposing the elimination of all property taxes in Ohio. The resolution notes property taxes are a primary source of funding for essential services provided by township administration, and elimination would result in deep cuts to public safety services, senior services and schools.

Currently, there is an activist group called Ax Ohio Tax, which is trying to gather 413,488 signatures for a petition to amend the state constitution to abolish property taxes. House Joint Resolution 7, proposed by Rep. Mark Hiner (R-Howard) in February, would exempt owner-occupied residences from property taxes if passed.

The resolution approved by the Hanover trustees reads, “While property taxes are a serious concern for many Ohioans, eliminating them entirely without a responsible alternative is a reckless and unsustainable approach.

“Hanover Township opposes the elimination of all property taxes in Ohio but supports responsible property tax reform that addresses affordability concerns while protecting public safety, schools, services for seniors and other critical community services.”

A copy of the resolution will be sent to Gov. Mike DeWine and members of the Ohio General Assembly.

Data center moratorium

The board also voted to support a moratorium that Henry said is currently under review by Butler County Commissioners regarding the development of data centers within county lines.

Butler County has control over zoning in Hanover Township, as well as Lemon, Madison, Milford, Oxford and Ross townships, wherein it can implement moratoriums.

“Commissioners are just trying to assess if there’s strong enough interest,” Henry said. “Originally, they were contacted by one township, and then the others kind of fell in line.”

Henry said in order for the county to change the zoning code to implement a moratorium, they would need the approval of all six townships.

“In looking at our power supply in the available territory and existing zoning, we’re not very well suited for one of those data centers,” Henry said of Hanover Township.

Other business

The board also approved funding for Kids Fest, which will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Hanover Township Park on July 27, according to the township website.

The board will meet again on June 17 at 6 p.m. at 2595 Old Oxford Road.