Latest news with #StateCapitalImprovementsProgram
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What issues will Summit County voters decide at the polls on May 6?
On May 6, Summit County voters will go to the polls to decide on an array of issues. From school levies to library funding, and even a state constitutional amendment, county residents will have no shortage of decisions to make. Early voting is underway, and will continue to until May 4. Here's an overview of key issues to be decided. For a full list of the issues appearing on ballots, click here, or visit the Summit County Board of Elections website here: and click on "60 Day Issue Synopsis." Issue 2 asks voters statewide to renew a constitutional amendment, first passed in 1987, that funds critical infrastructure improvements in local communities through the State Capital Improvements Program (SCIP). If approved, Issue 2 will authorize the state legislature to issue a maximum of $2.5 billion in general obligation funds over 10 years, capping the total allowable issuance at $250 million per fiscal year. The measure won't enable looting the public's coffers to pay for a new Browns stadium. The text of the ballot issue states, "Capital improvement projects would be limited to roads and bridges, waste water treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal systems, storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities." According to a fact sheet from the Ohio Public Works Commission passing the measure won't result in higher taxes, as SCIP bonds are paid off with existing state revenue. Check out the fact sheet here. The Springfield Local District is seeking two emergency tax levy renewals. The first would renew a five year, 2.74-mill tax to collect $84 for each $100,00 of property valuation. The second is a five year, 7-mill tax to collect $113 for each $100,000 of valuation. Among other school levies: The Nordonia Hills City School District seeks an additional 5-mill levy that would collect $7.3 million annually or $175 for each $100,000 of appraised property value. Twinsburg City School District voters will weigh $97 million bond issue to be repaid annually over a minimum of 36 years as well as 3.84-mill property tax to pay for the bonds, amounting to $135 for each $100,000 of appraised property value. The Manchester Local School District is asking voters to renew two levies. The first would raise $275,000 over five years to pay for the district's emergency needs at an average rate of 0.81 mills, or $25 for each $100,000 of appraised property value. The second is an 8.5-mill tax to raise $1.8 million annually for five years; the tax would cost homeowners $152 annually for each $100,000 of appraised property value. The Mogadore Local School District, seeking to avoid an operating deficit of $840,000, is asking voters to pass a tax that averages 5.93 mills or $208 annually for each $100,000 of appraised property value. Voters living in communities served by the Akron-Summit County Public Library system will decide whether to issue $160 million in bonds to acquire sites and build and upgrade facilities. The amount will be repaid annually over a maximum 20 year period. The measure contains a property tax levy that would amount to $35 for each $100,000 of appraised value beginning in 2025 and first due in 2026. The library system's service area includes the Ccty of Akron and all of Summit County except for Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Peninsula, Stow-Munroe Falls, and Twinsburg, which are served by independent libraries. Barberton voters will be asked to renew a five-year, 1.95 mill tax for Barberton Public Library. The tax amounts to $39 for each $100,000 of appraised property value. Springfield Township voters will weigh a partial replacement for three existing fire department levies that would reduce the the total amount collected by 0.125 mills. The county fiscal officer estimates it will cost $223 for each $100,000 of appraised property value. Sagamore Hills Township has a 6-mill police levy on its ballot that would collect $2.8 million annually, or $210 for each $100,000 of appraised property value. In Lakemore, village residents are being asked to approve a 4.75-mill tax would raise $417,000 annually for the fire department, or $166 yearly for each $100,000 of the appraised property value. Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@ or 330-541-9413. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Levies, library funding and more on May 6 ballot in Summit County
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State ballot issue centers around infrastructure funding
Apr. 15—LIMA — Ohio taxpayers have been funding a public infrastructure bond since 1987, and every 10 years, voters are called upon to evaluate the return on that investment in the form of a bond renewal. This May, voters have the chance to say yes or no to keeping this initiative going for a fifth decade. At stake in this vote are up to $2.5 billion in bonds, limited to $250 million per year over the next decade, issued through the State Capital Improvements Program and from which county and local governments statewide can draw to fund needed infrastructure improvements, including roadways, bridges, water and sewer projects. "It affects us all directly in that it is funding that locals can apply for directly," Allen County Engineer Brion Rhodes said during the Allen County Republican Party monthly luncheon held April 4. "I'm talking about counties, townships, cities, municipalities, all across the board. We all receive that funding." According to the argument in favor of Issue 2 published by the Ohio Secretary of State's office, the SCIP has funded more than 19,000 grants and loans since its inception. "Issue 2 will help thousands more projects be completed that wouldn't be otherwise and support tens of thousands of jobs throughout Ohio," the argument reads. "An objective grant allocation process assures fairness so that communities both large and small receive funding." Rhodes also emphasized that this renewal would not result in any tax increase if passed, and because it has been passed in three previous elections — 1995, 2005 and 2014 — Allen County has benefitted from it for years. "Allen County as a whole receives about $2 million per year," he said. "That helps pay for our paving. It pays for water lines, sewer lines, bridgets and sewer projects, as well." While no organization has submitted an official argument against the measure, the Ohio Secretary of State's office issued a contrary argument when it released the text of the ballot issue emphasizing the length of time it may take to pay the bonds off and maintaining that not all Ohioans would equally see the benefits of this program, depending on where the projects are located. "These are community-based project from which many Ohioans may not see a direct benefit and which local governments should prioritize and pay for using locally-raised dollars," the argument reads. "Though the newly-issued bonds will pay for projects over the next decade, it may take up to three times that long to pay them back." Auglaize County Commissioner David Bambauer maintained at the April 10 Wapakoneta Chamber of Commmerce State of the City, County and Schools that the investment does reap benefits locally. "Our county, in the last 10 years, has received over $6.75 million," he said. "How our county has determined how we split that up is we divide it in four. One year, the county engineer gets that money. One year the cities of Wapakonteta and St. Marys get that money. One year the municipalities split the money, which is Waynesfield, New Bremen, New Knoxville and Minster. And the one year, all that money goes to the townships." For an interactive county map from the Ohio Public Works Commission outlining projects funded by the SCIP, go to ELECTION COVERAGE See election coverage at Featured Local Savings
