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Are voters suffering from 'levy fatigue?'
With more than 20 tax issues on the Nov. 6 ballot, local officials worry voters are getting tired of being asked to pay more.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Say the words "levy fatigue" to a school superintendent and you're likely to get a knowing chuckle.
After months of campaigning for voter support of tax levies on the Nov. 6 ballot, some of them are feeling more than a little bit weary.
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But from the voter's perspective "levy fatigue" is more about being tired of taxes increasing.
"I think nobody wants to pay more taxes," said Scott Ebright, deputy director of communication services for the Ohio School Boards Association. "And I would venture to guess most school board members would rather go see a blind dentist than put tax issues on the ballot."
With 21 tax issues on the Montgomery County ballot, including the countywide Human Services Levy, community and school officials are hoping voters are not so tired of tax increases that they will simply vote no.
"Yes we obviously are concerned about levy fatigue and being on the ballot and people having to look at multiple levies and potentially choose the one they want to vote for," said Brookville Schools Superintendent Tim Hopkins.
The county's 7.21-mill human services levy is the most costly single issue on the ballot, but supporters hope that will not deter voters — some of them considering as many as four other ballot issues.
County Commissioner Dan Foley said levy fatigue "is obviously a concern of mine. When we look at the challenges, that is something that we worry about."
Marty Moore, finance manager for County Auditor Karl Keith, said she's fielded more calls than usual from people wanting to know exactly what they'd pay if they approve each of the levies on the ballot in their communities.
"I think people want to vote for things, and then have to pick and choose," Moore said.
