PLYMOUTH — Plymouth voters in Richland and Huron counties voted against the renewal of a property tax issue which provided primary funding to the village’s cemeteries.
According to final, unofficial totals from the Richland County Board of Elections, 149 voters were in favor of the renewal, while 173 voted against it.
In Huron County, the margin was also minimal.
According to final, unofficial totals from the Huron County Board of Elections, 151 Plymouth voters cast their ballot in favor of the renewal, while 149 voted against it.
Village of Plymouth Fiscal Officer DiAnn Jamerson previously told Richland Source the most consistent funds to upkeep Plymouth cemeteries come via property taxes.
Income generated by the issue is used for a variety of maintenance, including tasks such as mowing, tree trimming and weed whacking.
As a renewal, the five-year, 1-mill property tax issue wouldn’t have cost property owners additional money.
Jamerson said the issue generated about $17,000 for the village each year.
The tax costs property owners approximately $35 annually per each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.
Funds supported upkeep, upgrades and personnel
Past funds generated by the property tax issue have supported general maintenance and upkeep of Plymouth’s Greenlawn and Pioneer Rest cemeteries.
When able, the village also invested financially in upgrading facilities on the grounds, Jamerson said. Most recently, improvements were made to the mausoleum and chapel at Greenlawn Cemetery.
“We’re just trying our best to take care of those things,” the fiscal officer said.
Collected funds helped the village maintain and repair frequently-used equipment at both sites, including the cemetery backhoe.
Personnel to upkeep the presentation and landscaping of the grounds, including mowing, tree trimming and weed whacking, were also paid for using issue funds.
Jamerson said years ago, several Plymouth youth would frequently help mow at the cemeteries — assistance not commonly received today.
The village instead has had to hire landscape companies to tackle the large scope of work, which can quickly become costly, she said.