PLYMOUTH — DiAnn Jamerson said every penny the Village of Plymouth receives through property tax issues is needed.
Plymouth voters — who are spread in both Richland and Huron counties — will determine the fate of two levy renewals on the ballot this November — one for current expenses, the other for village parks.
As renewals, both issues would maintain their current tax levels if passed on Nov. 4.
“Every little bit helps,” said Jamerson, the village’s fiscal officer. “We don’t have a lot of industry in our community, so we don’t have the tax base that other communities have to help out.”
Parks levy responsible for upkeep, equipment upgrades
The parks levy is a 1-mill, five-year property tax renewal. Jamerson said it generates approximately $15,588 annually.
It costs a village property owner with a $100,000 home approximately $35 each year.
Those funds are specifically spent on things like general upkeep and maintenance, groundskeeping and equipment repairs, purchases and upgrades, Jamerson said.
Furthermore, those funds can be used at matching dollars for grants the village pursues.
The fiscal officer said several pieces of equipment, including swings and the village’s Scout Hut, have been updated recently thanks to levy funds.
Jamerson said this specific issue has been approved by Plymouth voters for at least the past 25 years, which is how long she’s worked for the village.
If this renewal were to fail in November, the fiscal officer said village utility workers would become responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance tasks.
“They’ve (utility department) already got a full plate,” Jamerson said.
Current expenses levy provides financial security for village’s general fund
The current expenses levy is a 6-mill, five-year property tax renewal. Jamerson said it generates approximately $77,680 annually.
It costs a village property owner with a $100,000 home approximately $210 each year.
Those funds specifically assist the village’s general fund, which supports several village departments, Village Council, and the salaries of many village employees — including Jamerson’s and the mayor’s.
Funds generated by the levy also go towards covering a variety of fees, including ordinance codification, solicitor and tax collection fees, among others.
“It also helps with maintaining all the buildings in the village (not limited to the village’s administrative building),” Jamerson said.
Jamerson said this specific issue has also been approved by Plymouth voters for at least the past two decades.
If this renewal were to fail in November, the fiscal officer said any transfers out of the general fund would be impacted.
“Currently, it’s (general fund) giving money to the schools (Plymouth-Shiloh Local School District) and in the past it’s given money to the cemetery when the cemetery levy didn’t pass,” Jamerson said.
The village would also have to revaluate the number of buildings it owns and how those are being maintained. It could also mean cuts to significant services which are offered to Plymouth residents.
“This one is kind of an important one,” Jamerson said of the property tax issue. “It may not seem like a ton of money, but it definitely helps.”
For more information about the Nov. 4 election, visit the Richland County Board of Elections website.