OHIO — Much of the attention arond the election has been around the presidential candidates, and while that’s definitely important, there’s are other parts of the ballot that are hidden in the background.
Counties containing the state’s largest cities will have important amendments and issues on the ballot that will decide actions for police misconduct, property taxes for schools and other local income taxes.
Here’s what you need to know:
Summit County
- A charter amendment will decide whether it’s required for police in Akron to release body camera and dashboard footage in a use of force case.
Lucas County
- Issue 18: The Children’s Services Property Tax Renewal Measure. If approved by voters, it’ll renew the property tax for Lucas County Children’s Services at the rate of $180 per $100,000 of assessed property value for five years. If voted down, the property tax will expire Dec. 31.
- Issue 17: Property Tax for Park Development Measure. This is for Toledo’s Metropolitan Park District. If approved by voters, there will be an additional property tax at the rate of $200 per $100,000 of assessed property value for 10 years.
- Issue 3: Income Renewal Measure. This is for the city of Toledo. If approved by voters, it’ll renew the city’s temporary income tax at a rate of 0.75 percent for four years starting Jan. 1, 2021. The money will go toward safety services, capital improvements and the General Fund. If voted down, the existing income tax will expire Dec. 31.
- Issue 4: Additional Income Tax Measure. This is for the city of Toledo. If approved by voters, there will be an additional temporary municipal income tax at a rate of 0.25 percent for four years starting Jan. 1, 2021. It will help fund road improvements.
Hamilton County
- The Cincinnati City School District will have a property tax renewal on the ballot, which would renew the property tax passed in 2016 at a rate of $734 per $100,000 of assessed property value. It would raise a total of $48 million in revenue over five years beginning in January. If voted down, the existing property tax will expire in December.
Franklin County
- Issue 1: Electric Service Aggregation Program Measure. This is for Columbus. If approved, it’ll allow the city to establish an Electric Aggregation Program, which will aggregate the retail electrical load of customers within city boundaries. Customers will also be allowed to opt-out of the program.
- Issue 2: Civilian Police Review Board and Inspector General Charter Amendment. This will allow the city to create a review board that can launch and carry out investigations dealing with police misconduct, subpoena testimony and more. The board will also make recommendations to the Divison of Police. They can also appoint and manage the new position of Inspector General.
- Issue 24: Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Tax Renewal and Increase. This would authorize the county ro renew and increase a tax that funds programs for mental health, alcohol and drug addiction. It would be at a rate of $285 per $100,000 of assessed property value. That’s an increase of $65 per $100,000 of assessed property value. If voted down, the tax will expire.
Cuyahoga County
- Issue 68: Cleveland Municipal School District Property Tax Renewal and Increase. If voters approve, this will renew and increase the property tax for the next 10 years to help fund the Cleveland Municiple School District. It would be at a rate of $200 per $100,000 of the assessed property value. If voters disapprove, the property tax would expire before next year.
