Jackson Township's budget for 2022, like those of other municipalities in the Harmony Fire District, increases the amount it will contribute to the fire company.

It does it, however, in a slightly different way.

The $8.6 million budget, which supervisors approved Thursday, ups the fire protection tax rate 1 mill, to 2.5 mills, but does not increase the township's overall real estate tax rate, which remains steady at 8.25 mills.

Jackson Township manager Chris Rearick said the 1-mill increase will meet what the fire district sought when it first met with Jackson about a new station.

“The township was honoring the spirit of that by raising it by a mill. Since that time, the value of a mill has increased to what a mill-and-a-half would have been,” Rearick said. “We were honoring the spirit of that request by providing a mill, which will only grow.”

Subscribers can visit butlereagle.com to read more about the township's budget and capital improvements.