Pickaway County voters will all decide two issues on the November ballot: State Issue 3 on whether a photo ID requirement should be made part of the Ohio Constitution, and whether to approve a levy renewal and increase for the county Park District.
In addition, voters in some local communities will consider one or more of a dozen other levies for fire protection, emergency medical and ambulance services, cemeteries, roads, streets and schools.
Early in-person voting in Ohio is underway and ends Nov. 1 with varying hours. To see the full schedule, go to the Ohio Secretary of State's voting schedule at: ohiosos.gov/elections/voting-schedule
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Applications for absentee ballots to
vote by mail must be received by boards of elections by close of business on Oct. 27. Absentee ballots must be received by mail or returned to county boards of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Here is a round-up of the issues on Nov. 3 election ballots in Pickaway County as compiled from the county Board of Elections' certified list. NOTE: Local liquor license options are not included in this list as those issues are decided only by voters in local precincts where the restaurants, stores and other businesses applying for licenses are located.
Countywide
Pickaway County Park District – Renewal of a 0.5-mill property tax and an increase of 0.25-mill for a total levy of 0.75 mill for 10 years to fund maintenance of its three parks, several trails and multiple paddling accesses and to assist local communities within the county with the development and improvement of their parks and trails. The additional funds would also help the park district develop new trails and parks. If approved, the 0.75-mill levy would generate more than $1.46 million annually for the park district and cost property owners $20 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Municipal and other public agencies
Ashville – A referendum initiated by petition asking voters whether village council should approve a development and supply agreement term summary with EdgeConneX, which plans to obtain permits through the village to construct and operate two data center buildings with ancillary buildings on more than 195 acres. Through an affiliate, EdgeConneX also plans to construct a behind the meter, natural gas-fired power generating facility on the property to power the data centers.
New Holland (straddles Pickaway and Fayette counties) – Renewal of a 1-mill village property tax levy for five years for maintaining and operating a cemetery. If approved, the levy will generate an estimated $8,562 annually and cost property owners $15 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Williamsport – Renewal of a village property tax levy of 3.65 mills for five years to provide ambulance service, emergency medical service, or both. If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $101,403 annually and cost property owners $96 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Deercreek Township (excluding the village of Williamsport) – An additional property tax of 3 mills for five years for general construction and maintenance of streets, roads and bridges. If approved, it would generate an estimated $122,019 annually and cost property owners $105 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
Monroe Township – An additional property tax of 1.75 mills for five years to fund firefighting and emergency medical services. If approved, the measure would generate $186,540 annually and cost property owners $61 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Perry Township (excluding the village of New Holland) – An additional property tax of 2.5 mills for five years for general construction and maintenance of streets, roads and bridges. If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $75,623 annually and would cost property owners $88 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Walnut Township – Renewal for five years of a 0.4-mill levy for maintaining and operating township cemeteries. If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $72,913 annually and cost property owners $8 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Fayette County Emergency Medical Service District (Fayette County and New Holland and part of Perry Township in Pickaway County) – The district, which is marking 50 years of service this year, is seeking renewal of a property tax levy of 1.90 mills for three years. If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $1,482,933 annually and cost property owners $49 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Sterling Joint Ambulance District (includes Darby Township and part of Monroe Township in Pickaway County and Mount Sterling, two other villages and three townships in Madison County) – Renewal of a property tax of 1.8 mills for five years for current expenses that would generate an estimated $489,825 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $36 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
Tri-County Joint Fire District (based in Mount Sterling and serving surrounding townships in parts of Madison, Pickaway and Fayette counties) – An additional tax of 2.5 mills for five years for fire protection and emergency medical services that would generate an estimated $710,410 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $88 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Schools
South-Western City School District (parts of Franklin and Pickaway counties) A proposed levy of 2.26 mills over a maximum 38 years to fund a $220 million bond issue for constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new Westland High School and a new Grove City High School, with related site improvements; for constructing school facilities and renovating, repairing, expanding, and improving existing school facilities and furnishing and equipping them. If approved, property owners would pay $79 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
Miami Trace Local School District (includes much of Fayette County, Perry Township and the village of New Holland in Pickaway County, and small portions of Clinton, Madison and Ross counties) – Renewal of a levy of 2.2 mills for five years to pay operating expenses. If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $1.9 million for the district and cost property owners $77 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Pickaway County voters to decide levy renewal and increase for park district
