Niles Charter Township officials are in the beginning stages of discussing a possible increase to the township’s fire operating and maintenance millage.

Supervisor Jim Stover said the millage would likely appear on the November 2014 ballot if the township’s board of trustees decides to go that route.

Stover said they are thinking about raising the fire operating and maintenance millage from 2.5 mills to 3.5 mills. In order to offset the increase, the township would lower to fire capital improvement millage from 3 mills to 1.75 or 1.5 mills.

“It wouldn’t cost the taxpayer anything more,” Stover said.

What’s prompting the discussion?

Stover said fire operating and maintenance expenditures are expected to exceed revenue by $75,000 for fiscal year 2013. The township will have to subsidize the shortfall this year with monies from the general fund.

“Yes we are managing to cover that (this year), but I can’t tell you how much longer in the future we will be able to continue,” he said.

Stover said the problem stems from a loss in property tax revenue combined with decreased revenue sharing from the state.

Township officials first discussed the issue at Monday’s regular meeting.