There doesn’t seem to be a great deal to say about Issue 4, the city’s police and fire pension levy on the March 6 ballot, but there will be plenty to talk about if it fails.

That’s because the $1.7 million it would raise to pay the city’s share of pensions for safety service employees — a share required by state law — would have to come out of some other part of the city’s budget.

At any time, that would be a big chunk of change to divert from the city’s operating budget. With an already substantial reduction in Local Government Fund support from the state, and the end of the estate tax looming, it would present an enormous problem.

For 35 years, voters in Upper Arlington have been approving the issue, which has usually hovered at the rate of about 1 mill. This year it’s a little higher at 1.4 mills, but it’s certainly a small amount of money for what it accomplishes.

At the rate proposed, the levy would increase property owners’ cost from $28.95 for each $100,000 of home value to $33.26. That’s $4.31 per $100,000.

The city needs this money to meet its obligation to its firefighters and police officers. Most of us have experienced, at least in a small way, the city’s safety services meeting their obligation to the community.

This is an opportunity to reciprocate that obligation. ThisWeek urges a yes vote on Issue 4.