Voters to consider many other ballot issues in Logan County
As the Nov. 7 General Election approaches, Logan County residents are gearing up to cast their votes on a number of local issues impacting their communities.
Among the ballot issues, Indian Lake Local School District is the lone school levy on the ballot, with the district proposing the renewal of its current 4.8-mill levy to fund emergency requirements.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood said the five-year levy asks for no new money and would continue the funding stream that has been in place since 2013. The current levy is set to expire at the end of 2024.
The renewal initiative is expected to generate $2,878,500 annually for operating expenses of the district, and it would run from 2025 to 2030. Operating expenses covered by the levy are any items required to operate a school district including: utility costs, equipment repairs, facility maintenance, technology expenses, transportation, curriculum, wages and benefits etc.
The emergency renewal levy is vital for district operations because it represents more than 16 percent of the total budget, Dr. Underwood related.
The superintendent further explained why the term “emergency” is used with the issue.
“An emergency levy is a fixed dollar amount operating levy for the emergency requirements of the school district or to avoid an operating deficit,” he said this week.
“The tax may be approved for up to 10 years; the Indian Lake Board of Education elects for a five-year term so that it can evaluate the need for the levy on a more permanent basis.”
Dr. Underwood also reiterated the fiscal responsibility and academic excellence that the district has demonstrated in recent years and expressed appreciation to the community for their unwavering support.
“Despite increased costs of doing business and inflation in the economy, Indian Lake has not asked for an increase in taxes in 10 years. The district offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities and recently earned 4.5 out of 5 stars on the state report card.
“Indian Lake is committed to demonstrating financial responsibility and transparency while providing an excellent education that contributes to the overall success of our community. Thank you for your support.”
Other ballot issues in Logan County include:
• Bloomfield Township Zoning Resolution: Voters in Bloomfield Township will decide whether to approve the adopted zoning plan for the unincorporated area of the township.
• Bokescreek Township Renewal Levy (Current Expense): Bokescreek Township residents will have the opportunity to renew a tax for the benefit of current expenses. This levy, estimated to collect $38,000 annually, will not exceed 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $35 for every $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will last for 5 years, starting in 2024, with the first installment due in 2025.
• Bokescreek Township (Excluding Ridgeway) Renewal Levy (Fire Protection and EMS): This proposal involves a renewal levy to support fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) in Bokescreek Township, excluding Ridgeway. The levy is estimated to gather $36,000 annually, with a cap of 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, amounting to $53 per $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will span 5 years, commencing in 2024.
• Jefferson Township Renewal Levy (Parks): Jefferson Township seeks the renewal of a levy to support parks. Estimated to generate $19,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 0.25 mill for each $1 of taxable value, translating to $6 for every $100,000 of appraised value. This renewal will take effect in 2024, with the first collection in 2025.
• Brewfontaine at the Hills LLC Local Option (Sunday Sales): Brewfontaine at the Hills LLC, a local restaurant and bar, has petitioned for the sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages, and spirituous liquor on Sundays. The proposal pertains to a D-6 liquor permit.
• McArthur Township Renewal Levy (Fire Protection, Excluding Huntsville):
McArthur Township residents will vote on a renewal levy to fund fire protection, excluding Huntsville. The levy is projected to gather $57,000 annually, with a maximum rate of 1.25 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $35 per $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will span 3 years, starting in 2023.
• Monroe Township Renewal Levy (Road Construction): Monroe Township proposes the renewal of a levy to support road construction. Estimated to collect $100,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 3 mills for each $1 of taxable value, amounting to $53 per $100,000 of appraised value. This renewal will continue indefinitely, beginning in 2024.
• Castle Mac-O-Chee LLC Local Option (Liquor Sales): Castle Mac-O-Chee LLC, operating an event center in Monroe Township, seeks permission for the sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor.
• Castle Mac-O-Chee LLC Local Option (Sunday Sales): In a separate proposal, Castle Mac-O-Chee LLC is requesting permission to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays.
• Perry Township Renewal Levy (Current Expense): Perry Township voters will decide on a renewal levy for current expenses. This levy, projected to generate $52,000 annually, will not exceed 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $20 per $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will span 5 years, beginning in 2024.
• Perry Township Renewal Levy (Fire Protection): Perry Township is proposing the renewal of a levy to fund fire protection. Estimated to collect $200,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 4 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $71 per $100,000 of appraised value. This renewal will take effect in 2024.
• Rushcreek Township Renewal Levy (Cemetery): Rushcreek Township residents will vote on a renewal levy to support cemetery maintenance. Estimated to gather $28,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 0.5 mill for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $18 per $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will last for 5 years, starting in 2023.
• Union Township Renewal Levy (Road Construction): A renewal levy for road construction is up for consideration in Union Township. Estimated to generate $40,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 2.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $40 per $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will span 5 years, starting in 2024.
• Indian Joint Fire District Levy (Renewal and Increase): Indian Joint Fire District seeks the renewal of a 1-mill levy with a 1.5-mill increase to fund fire and EMS services. The levy, projected to collect $360,000 annually, will not exceed 2.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $75 per $100,000 of appraised value. This combined levy will continue indefinitely, starting in 2024.
• Stokes Central Fire District Renewal Levy (Fire Protection): Stokes Central Fire District proposes the renewal of a levy for fire protection. Estimated to gather $129,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 0.8 mill for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $18 per $100,000 of appraised value. This renewal will continue indefinitely.
• Stokes Southwest Fire District Renewal Levy (Fire Protection): A renewal levy to support fire protection is on the ballot for Stokes Southwest Fire District. Estimated to collect $1,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 1.6 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $18 per $100,000 of appraised value. This renewal will continue indefinitely.
• City of Bellefontaine Proposed Income Tax Increase: Bellefontaine residents will decide on a proposed 1.6 percent income tax levy increase. The additional funds will support parks, recreation operations, and capital expenditures of the Bellefontaine Parks and Recreation Department.
• Vicario’s Pizza & Pasta LLC Local Option (Sunday Sales): Vicario’s Pizza & Pasta LLC, operating a restaurant in Bellefontaine, seeks permission to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays.
• Village of West Liberty Renewal Levy (Current Expense): West Liberty residents will vote on a renewal levy for current expenses. Estimated to generate $100,000 annually, the levy will not exceed 2.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $51 per $100,000 of appraised value. The renewal will span five years, starting in 2024.
• Independent Petitions (Village of West Liberty): Several independent petitions in West Liberty address the sale of beer, spirituous liquor, wine, and mixed beverages, both for on-premise and off-premise consumption.
• Village of Rushsylvania Electric Aggregation: Rushsylvania residents will decide whether the Village should have the authority to aggregate retail electric loads. This measure would allow for service agreements to facilitate the sale and purchase of electricity.
• Village of Huntsville Additional Levy (Fire and EMS): Huntsville proposes an additional tax to fund fire and EMS services. Estimated to collect $13,500 annually, the levy will not exceed 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, equivalent to $53 per $100,000 of appraised value. This additional levy will span five years, starting in 2023.