SHELBY – A large price tag to repair side streets in the city of Shelby prompted legislators to move forward with a proposal for an income tax levy renewal.
Shelby City Council passed the second reading of an ordinance on Monday that would continue the 0.2 percent income tax levy that maintains roadway and sidewalk improvements and repairs. Voters in Shelby initially approved the levy in 2013, which paved the way for two major projects in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
If passed, the levy would appear on the ballot on May 8, 2018.
“We’ve heard loud and clear at the administration that it’s great we got the state routes and main routes done, and now we need the side roads,” said Project Coordinator Joe Gies. “I would wholeheartedly agree with that.”
On Monday, Gies explained the city hired Midwest Pavement Analysis & Design, LLC this past year to analyze and rate all of Shelby’s roadways. All asphalt streets in the city were surveyed and given a pavement rating from 100 to 50, where the lower the rating number the worse the pavement condition.
In total, 209 streets were identified, with seven streets having a near-perfect rating thanks to the original levy. State route projects like Main Street, Gamble Street and Mansfield Avenue were completed, costing the city $1.3 million in a $6.1 million project – meaning the city paid only 22 percent of the total project.
“When they say sometimes it takes money to make money, that was definitely the instance in this case,” Gies said. “We are very proud about that.”
Of the 202 streets identified as needing improvement, 93 streets were given a rating in the 50’s, meaning asphalt conditions are deteriorating and resurfacing is needed.
To repave all 202 streets would cost approximately $5.1 million, according to Gies. To repave only the 93 streets in the worst condition would be $3 million. Currently, Gies estimates a balance of $400,000 for 2018 based on the current levy collection, meaning only a limited selection of streets can be resurfaced.
“We’re far less than what we need to complete our road resurfacing and reconstruction,” Gies said.
If passed during the May election, a continuation of the income tax levy would mean Shelby residents would continue paying the same tax amount they currently pay. Of the income tax collected, 97 percent would be used for roadway improvements and repairs and three percent towards sidewalk replacements.
A five-year renewal of the exact street and sidewalk levy Shelby voters passed in 2013 would estimate a collection of $2 million. It would not be able to resurface all of the city streets, but it would cover the worst streets throughout the city.
“Obviously the longer you wait on some of those other ones, they’re going to keep going down, too,” Gies noted.
The current 0.2 percent income tax levy will be collected through the end of 2018. If the income tax continuation is approved by Shelby voters, it would continue for a period of another five years from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2023.
