Valley Township authorities have responded to charges that the clerk and trustees are not letting the fire department and EMS utilize $150,000 they say was earmarked for their use.

“Yes, there is over $150,000 between the three funds right now,” said Valley Township Clerk Lanette Wagner, chief financial officer. “Right now between the three funds, we have $195,000, but by the time you figure the repairs that have to be done to the fire station, $3,100; we’ve got a truck to pay for, $35,000; we’ve got one we just bought last year, a $25,000 payment; our payroll — firefighters and EMTs get paid $15 per run — that’ll be about $5,000. We’ve got at least a $2,000 repair on our backup squad, and probably another $1,400 in fuel for the rest of the year. So that brings it down to about $123,000-$124,000. It sounds like a lot of money. But when you divide that up by three funds, it’s a big deal.”

Wagner said the money must be spent for certain things that fall within the category of each fund.

The Valley Township trustees say they have always taken care of the necessities required by the fire and EMS services.

“I can personally tell you that I was a member of that fire department for 37 years. I was chief for 10 years — I can tell you personally that we do not deny that organization (fire and EMS) anything that pertains to life and property,” Valley Township Trustee Larry Merritt said. “There is not a piece of equipment over there that I would not feel safe, today, at my age, to do whatever is necessary to protect life and property in Valley Township.”

An e-mail received in the newsroom of the Portsmouth Daily Times said “We have recently overheard information that we would like all of the citizens of Lucasville to know about.”

It goes on to say — “The tax dollars that the citizens pay for fire and EMS protection is not being used for what they say it’s being used for.”

Wagner said the issue began with the township levy.

“Back in July we agreed to purchase a (fire) truck. And I told them my only concern was, if the levy did not pass in the fall, that we would be stretched. We would make it but we would really be stretched,” Wagner said. “So I said, if we would have to we could use the funds from our EMS building to cover that and everyone was OK with that.”

Wagner said she told fire officials at that time that if the township purchased the fire truck, until it is paid for, “it’s needs- only.”

Wagner said township fire officials are, “constantly asking for money.”

“At the last meeting (Valley Fire Chief) Jerry (Cornwell) came and he had a list of at least $7,000 worth of things he said he needed,” Wagner said. “That doesn’t include the $62,000 to rewire the fire department. We said, ‘let’s hold it.’ There were some things on there that had to be purchased, and we approved those. But the other things we just said, ‘let’s wait until next year and see how the money comes in.’”

The levy in question was passed by the voters of Valley Township.

Wagner said if people don’t pay their taxes, the township doesn’t get the money.

“I feel we need to keep a reserve,” Wagner said. “There’s a lot of townships that don’t keep a reserve. But we’ve got several old trucks that if one goes, it’s going to cost a lot to replace it. That’s just an idea as to why we keep money in reserve.”

Wagner said with the bad economy, Valley Township is concerned about having a deficit, something that would have happened had there not been money in reserve going from 2008 to 2009.

“Last year, total receipts were $85,000, but we spent $135,000. We had $75,000 in reserves though, from the prior year,” Wagner said. “That was in the fire fund. In the rescue fund, we brought in $35,000, and spent $66,000.”

Wagner said it is evident to anyone looking at the books, which are public records available to anyone, that the money is being spent.

“They are allowed to spend money, but we can’t continue spending at this pace, because if you spend like this one year, you’ve got to make up for it the next year, because you have to have a reserve, or you’re going to end up like the county has. And we cannot do that.”

Scioto County, with a more than $3 million deficit, was put on fiscal emergency status by the State Auditor’s office, and now is in the process of trying to balance the budget and bring the county back in line with state requirements of a balanced budget.

“What we’re running into is this. We’re running into nickel and dime stuff,” Merritt said. “And like we have discussed at our meetings, let’s take a break here. Let’s take a halt, let’s give the paper time to dry before we get into our next year’s budget.”

Wagner said it isn’t true that money is not being spent on fire and EMS services.

“I live here too. If my house catches fire, I want the best equipment to come and put it out. If a member of my family becomes ill, I want the best EMS services.”

The actions taken by Wagner are also supported by Valley Township Trustee Terry Williams.

“With all the years in the banking business, I can tell you, she knows more about saving a penny than I do,” Williams said.

Wagner reiterated that any member of the public has access to all township records and if someone requests them, she can have them ready in a couple of days.

Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.