Suburban taxes: Safety, recreation issues approved
3/3/2004A recreation levy renewal and tax levies to fund police and fire services in three area suburbs easily passed yesterday - averting cuts many public officials had feared.
Sylvania Township voters approved a 2.5-mill levy for police operations to maintain services for the township s increasing population.
Times have been tough for the police department. To stay within its $5.4 million budget, the department has frozen pay, hiring, promotions, and reduced other expenses.
Carol Contrada, vice chairman of the Sylvania Township trustees, said the panel thanks residents for their support in passing the police levy.
“We re pleased to be able to continue to supply the quality of safety services that the township deserves, she said.
Dennis Boyle, chairman of the trustees, said the results show that “the citizens are firmly behind the department.”
The levy will raise about $2.1 million annually. Some of that money will be held in reserve for future operating expenses. The tax will cost the owner of a $200,000 house about $150 per year, officials said.
Both levies on the ballot yesterday for the Perrysburg Township fire department - a 2-mill, five-year replacement levy and a new 1-mill, five-year levy - were approved.
The replacement levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $70 per year and generate $871,867 annually. It passed by about a 61 percent margin.
The levy, approved narrowly by nearly 52 percent, will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $35 a year and raise $435,933 annually. Township officials plan to buy newer equipment with the money. “We had sent out flyers with incorrect information, so we were concerned about the levies passing,” Chief Michael Dimick said. “I m very pleased they passed.”
Swanton voters gave thumbs up to higher taxes to fund fire and rescue operations. They also approved continuation of a tax for the village s recreation department.
The Fulton County village asked voters to replace a 1.5-mill, five-year fire levy and renew a 0.5-mill, five-year recreation levy. Both issues passed by more than 60 percent.
The replacement fire levy will increase collections to $91,700 a year, up from $74,150. Even with that additional revenue, village officials said fire and emergency costs would still need general fund help.
The fire levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $46 a year - a $12 increase. The recreation levy will continue a tax that collects $24,700 at a cost of $11.50 a year to the owner of such a home.
Three alcohol issues - two in Wood County and one in Lucas County - were all approved by voters in the precincts involved.
Monclova Township Precinct 2 voters approved by an overwhelming margin to allow Churchill s at 3320 Briarfield Blvd., to sell beer, wine, and mixed beverages Sundays.
Voters in Perrysburg s Precinct 746 decided to let a planned Max & Erma s Restaurant in the new Levis Commons development off State Rt. 25 sell beer, wine, mixed beverages, and intoxicating liquor Sundays.
In Wood County, Liberty Township East precinct voters approved a request for Sunday alcohol sales at a carryout.
Blade staff writers Rachel Zinn, Mike Jones, and Jane Schmucker contributed to this report.