CLEVELAND — A handful of northeast Ohio cities and school districts turned to voters Tuesday to approve a variety of levy and bond issues.
While some of the levies were renewals, others were asking for tax increases and additional revenue. While renewal levies generally did well in the area, voters in many towns rejected new taxes.
Most of the levies and bonds up that were up consideration will use property taxes and will base the tax off millage. A mill takes market value times 35% times .001 (one mill) to equal the tax increase per year.
Like in most May elections, turnout was light. According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 18.6% of voters turned out to the polls.
Unofficial results are below:
Cuyahoga County
Fairview Park
- ISSUE 2: FOR: 84.8% AGAINST: 15.2%
The city asked for a one-mill levy that would go toward equipment and salaries for fire and emergency services. The levy will tax $35 for every $100,000 of property value every year. - ISSUE 3: FOR: 81.3% AGAINST: 18.7%
The city asked for the renewal of a .25 cent income tax for maintaining the city’s road and streets. The cost for someone making $50,000 will be $125 annually.
Seven Hills
- ISSUE 6: FOR: 69.7% AGAINST 30.3%
Seven Hills asked voters to renew a levy that provides most of the revenue for the city’s fire department. The 5.04-mill levy will tax roughly $170 for every $100,000 of property value annually.
Strongsville
- ISSUE 7: FOR: 41.3% AGAINST: 48.7%
The city asked for a two-mill levy to pay for additional paramedics and firefighters. The levy would have taxed $70 for every $100,000 of property value per year.
Warrensville Heights
- ISSUE: 8: FOR: 82.1% AGAINST: 17.9%
It will extend a one-mill levy for five years for providing and maintaining street lights. The levy costs property owners $35 per year for every $100,000 of value.
North Olmsted
- ISSUE 9: FOR: 28.1% AGAINST: 71.9%
The school district called for an 8.5-mill replacement operating levy which would tack an additional $24.79 for every $100,000 of property value on the yearly tax bill. An 8.5-mill levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home $297.50 annually.
Parma
- ISSUE 10: FOR: 37.3% AGAINST: 62.7%
After voters turned down a similar measure in November, Parma Schools asked for a 6.3-mill bond that would tax $220.80 for every $100,000 of property value per year. The bond would have been used to renovate schools, and construct two new secondary campuses.
Rocky River
- ISSUE 11: FOR: 46.5% AGAINST: 53.5%
Rocky River Schools asked for a 4.9-mill levy that will be used for operating expenses. If passed, the levy would tax $171 annually for every $100,000 of home value.
Geauga County
Chagrin Falls
- ISSUE 3: FOR: 28.7% AGAINST: 71.3%
Kenston Schools asked for a 6.5-mill levy that would provide general operating expenses and permanent improvements for the district. The tax would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $228 annually.
Lorain County
Avon Lake
- ISSUE 1: FOR: 87.2% AGAINST: 12.8%
The city called for a 2-mill levy to operate the city’s fire department. The levy will tax $70 annually for every $100,000 of property value. The levy is a renewal and no additional taxes will be levied. - ISSUE 19: FOR: 84% AGAINST: 16%
The 2.8-mill renewal levy will be used to provide funding for the area’s library. The levy would ask the owners of a $100,000 home to pay $98 a year.
Lorain
- ISSUE 2: FOR: 78.5% AGAINST: 21.5%
The city called for the renewal of a 1.7-mill levy that will tax the owner of a $100,000 home $59.50 per year. The city’s fire department says that layoffs would haved occurred and fire stations would have closed if the levy did not pass. - ISSUE 22: FOR: 79.9 AGAINST: 20.1%
The library system asked for a 5.95-mill renewal levy for operating expenses. The cost to the owner of a $100,000 home is $208.25 per year.
Sheffield Lake
- ISSUE 6: FOR: 81.3% AGAINST: 18.7%
The area’s library asked for a 2.95-mill renewal levy. The levy will be used for operating expenses. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $103.25 per year.
Lake County
Kirtland
- ISSUE 1: FOR: 62% AGAINST: 38%
Kirtland Local Schools asked voters to approve a 4.11-mill replacement levy for operating expenses within the district. The levy will provide 10% of the district’s funding. The levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home $143.85 per year.
Madison Local Schools
- ISSUE 1: FOR: 24.7% AGAINST: 75.3%
Madison Local Schools asked voters to approve a 6.99-mill replacement levy for current operating expenses. The cost would have been $245 per year for the owner of a $100,000 home.
Medina County
Wadsworth
- ISSUE 2: FOR: 81.1% AGAINST: 18.9%
Wadsworth called for an added 1.5-mill levy to be used for the city’s fire department. The funds will be used for new equipment and maintenance. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $52.50 per year.
Brunswick
- ISSUE 8: FOR 67% AGAINST 33%
After a number of failed attempts in recent years, Brunswick Schools was able to convince voters to approve a 5.9-mill levy. The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $206 per year.
Medina
- ISSUE 9: FOR: 61.5% AGAINST: 38.5%
Those living in the Highland School District were asked to approve a 4.7-mill levy. The funds will be used for operating expenses, and would prevent layoffs in the district. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $144 per year.
