A number of issues are on the November ballot for Richland County including income taxes and 14 school replacement levies as well as some renewal levies.
The City of Shelby is asking for a .2 percent income tax increase in order to maintain their safety services. “Our general fund has suffered from all of the state cuts that were made,” explained Director of Finance Bob Lafferty. “The state has cut our local government funding by half. Right now we are just trying to maintain our already under-staffed safety forces and the payroll for city officials.”
Currently, Shelby is functioning at the bare minimum for much of their operating needs.
“At the fire department we have four [personnel] on the general shift. If one is sick or goes on vacation or is off, we only have enough for an ambulance, which requires two people, and one person to take care of everything else,” reported Lafferty. “This tax will help us maintain what we have.”
The Crestline Exempted School District is asking for a .75 perxent income tax to support the operations of the school district. This particular tax is already in place in 188 Ohio school districts. The tax will be collected through employer withholdings to residents within the Crestline Exempted School District.
Treasurer Bradd Stevens explained, “It was time for us to apply for this tax as many other school districts have.”
Tax Levies
Pioneer Career & Technology Center is requesting a replacement levy of $1.7 mill. “This is a confusing one to even explain, but very important for us,” said Pioneer Superintendent Glenna Cannon. “We have two levies from 1970 and 1976. We still have those, but House Bill 920 says you can never collect any more money than was initially collected.”
Therefore, Pioneer is still getting the same amount of tax money as they did back in 1970 and 1976.
“We really haven’t done anything to replace the millage since 1976,” said Cannon. “The cost per resident for the $1.7 mill we’re asking for will be $2.51 per month since the tax is based on an assessed house value of $100,000.
There are 14 school districts that would be affected by the replacement levy for Pioneer. “When we started in 1968 there were 10 school districts with us and now there are 14,” Cannon pointed out. “Pioneer means jobs. It’s an economic driver in this community. This levy will help with our operating expenses.”
Mifflin Township is requesting a continuation of one levy and an additional $1.75 mill for road repairs. Springfield Township is asking for an additional levy of $2 mill earmarked for their fire department.
Renewal levies
There are several renewal levies on the upcoming November ballot. The tax amounts will not change but will continue as they have for the next five years. Seeking renewals are:
Lucas Local School District, $12.9 mill renewal for emergency requirements
City of Shelby, $1 mill renewal for parks
City of Shelby, $1 mill renewal for the Department of Health’s general operating fund
Village of Bellville, $3 mill renewal for current expenses
Village of Butler, $2 mill renewal for streets, roads, and bridges
Village of Plymouth, $1 mill renewal for their cemetery
Cass Township, $1 mill renewal for their cemeteries
Monroe Township (excluding Lucas), $2 mill renewal for roads
Perry Township, $1.8 mill renewal for roads
Washington Township, $2.5 mill for fire
Worthington Township, $.5mill for Hitchman Park
Worthington Township (excluding Butler), $2 mill for roads and bridges
