SHELBY — Voters in Shelby approved all six city issues they were met with during this year’s general election.
Renewal levies for the city’s health and parks departments each passed by more than 10 percent of the vote.
According to final, unofficial totals from the Richland County Board of Elections, 2,315 Shelby voters cast their ballot in favor of the city’s park levy renewal, while 1,657 voters were opposed.
The health department levy passed with 2,181 votes in favor of the renewal, and 1,753 votes against it.
Both are five-year, 1-mill renewals — which will continue to generate about $127,000 annually for the respective departments, according to Brian Crum, Shelby’s director of finance and public record.
“From what I understand, neither the park nor the health levies have ever really been challenged,” Crum previously told Richland Source.
“It seems like everybody sees the benefit of them and chooses to support them, which is nice.”
Each levy costs property owners approximately $35 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised property value.
Both taxes will commence in 2025 and expire in 2029. Collection begins in 2026 and runs through 2030.
Four charter amendments approved by Shelby voters
Shelby voters also approved four proposed amendments to sections 7, 24, 31 and 36 of the city’s charter.
According to final, unofficial totals from the Richland County Board of Elections, the amendment to section seven was approved by 77.27 percent of Shelby voters.
Amendments to sections 24, 31 and 36 each passed by more than 77 percent of total votes in favor of the proposed changes.
All four charter amendments allow several city officials — including the mayor, director of law, director of finance and public record and city councilmembers — to assume office on the first day of January.
Previous language stated these positions would assume office on the first day of January at noon following their election.
Shelby City Council does not have the power itself to make such amendments. It can only send the proposed language changes to voters.
Crum said the four amendments on this year’s ballot are ultimately clerical changes, meant to help the uniformity of when city officials begin their terms.
“All of those charter amendments are all really just clerical to make life easier for everybody,” he told Richland Source in October.