Ten things to watch during May 7 election

The May 7 primary will include several tax requests from area communities and school districts. Here are 10 things voters will be asked on the ballot.

Beavercreek income tax

Beavercreek will ask voters to approve a 1.5 percent earned income tax to help pay for road and bridge repairs, offset cuts in state money and refurbish its parks and city buildings.

If the income tax passes, the city will be required to let lapse by 2017 two street levies and a police levy, foregoing an estimated $52 million in revenue. The owner of a home with an assessed value of $100,000 would see their annual city property tax bill drop by $223.29 — from $335.09 to $111.80 — by 2017. The rollback of the property taxes would not affect property taxes residents pay to the school district, township and county.

Oakwood property tax

The city of Oakwood will ask voters to approve a 3.75-mill additional property tax, the first tax increase request for city government services in 22 years.

Administrators and elected officials say the money is needed to make up for $3 million lost with the end of the Ohio estate tax (10-year average of $2.6 million a year) in 2012, reductions in Ohio’s Local Government Fund and other revenue.

The issue would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $230 per year and generate $1.07 million annually.

Centerville schools levy

Centerville City Schools are asking voters to approve a 6.9-mill operating levy that would cost a homeowner $211 more a year per $100,000 of property value.

In November, voters defeated a 5.9-mill request by 161 votes.

Superintendent Tom Henderson said the added mill is needed, even though the district has reduced expenses, cut jobs and raised student fees since the November issue fell just short.

Fairborn schools levy

Voters in the Fairborn City School District will be asked to pass a 11.7-mill emergency levy.

The levy would generate $7 million annually for 10 years for the school system, one of 22 Ohio districts in fiscal caution.

Treasurer Eric Beavers said the passage of the levy will keep the district fiscally solvent and meet its budgetary needs. However, if it fails, pay-to-participate fees will more than triple and voters should expect another emergency levy — with a higher millage — on the November ballot.

Dayton mayor/Dayton Commission

City voters will get to choose the mayor and commission candidates who will appear on the November ballot.

Incumbent Mayor Gary Leitzell is being challenged by former judge and county auditor A.J. Wagner, and City Commissioner Nan Whaley. The top two vote-getters will advance to the November election. In the same election, four of the following five city commission candidates will advance — Joey Williams, David Esrati, David K. Greer, Joseph Lutz and Jeffrey Mims.

Harrison Twp. police levies

If both of the Harrison Twp. police levies that are appearing on the ballot fail, the township will lose its police services with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the township administrator said.

One of the levies is a police and EMS 13-mill renewal levy and the other is an additional 4-mill levy that would cost a homeowner of a $100,000 home an additional $122.50, according to the Montgomery County Auditor’s office.

Miami Twp. fire and police levies

Miami Twp. voters will be asked to approve more than $5 million a year in annual property tax levies for police, fire and ambulance services.

Township voters will consider a levy funding the new Miami Valley Fire District, which provides fire and EMS in the township, as well as the city of Miamisburg. The five-year, 3.5-fmill renewal is expected to raise about $2.1 million a year to fund the township’s portion of the district’s costs.

For the second consecutive election, township voters also will be considering a police levy. This 5.25 mill property tax levy is expected to raise about $3 million a year.

For every $100,000 in value, property owners would pay $160.78 for the police levy and $107.19 for the fire levy, according to the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office.

Clearcreek Twp. fire levy

A request for a continuing 4.5-mill levy in Clearcreek Twp. is expected to raise an additional $4.4 million a year for the fire protection and ambulance service.

The levy is expected to add $137.81 in property taxes for every $100,000 in property value.

“If the levy fails, then the voters have voiced their opinion that they desire a smaller fire and EMS force,” Clearcreek Fire District Fire Chief Bob Kidd said in an email.

West Carrollton income tax

Voters are being asked to approve a 0.25-percent increase in the city’s 2 percent income tax.

The five-year renewable measure would cost a resident who earns $40,000 a year $100 per year, or about $8 per month.

It would raise $600,000 for the general fund, which includes police, fire, emergency medical services, parks and recreation.

West Carrollton last raised income taxes in November 2004 (effective in 2005), when a 0.25 percent hike from 1.75 to 2 percent was approved by a 3,786-2,400 vote.

Washington Twp./Centerville levies

Centerville and Washington Twp. residents will vote on two non-school property tax issues.

Issue 10 is a five-year, 4.65-mill levy for fire and emergency services to replace an expiring 3-mill levy. It will cost $142 per $100,000 of home value. Issue 11 is a five-year, .7-mill replacement levy for recreation programs and facilities that include the Washington Twp. Recreation Center, Rec West and Town Hall Theatre. It will cost $21.44 per 100,000 of home value.

The proposed fire levy is expected to raise about $7.7 million and fund about 66 percent of operating expenses for the Washington Twp. Fire Department. It would be the first increase in gross millage since 1989.

If passed, Issue 11 would provide an estimated 43 percent of recreation department expenses in 2014. The rest comes from user fees and grants, which were up $66,217 in 2012, according to Washington Twp. reports.

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