Residents must determine local township issues' fate

5/1/2005

WAUSEON - Voter turnout is expected to be light Tuesday in Fulton County, where residents will cast ballots on a handful of local issues ranging from levies for road improvements to a proposed township zoning plan.

"We feel voter turnout will be very low," said Kathy Meyer, deputy director of the Fulton County board of elections.

The only school issue in the county is a renewal request in the Pettisville district. Voters are being asked to approve a 3.5-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy that would provide Pettisville with funds for what Superintendent Stephen Switzer described as "investment stewardship."

Permanent improvement funds, he explained, provide a resource to maintain and upgrade buildings and to make other improvements. Funds from the permanent improvement levy cannot be used for salaries or operational expenses, but can only go for items or repairs that have a five-year or longer life span. If voters pass the renewal issue, plans call for the district to use a portion of the funds to replace computers and improve outdoor lighting on the campus, he said.

The levy will collect about $130,000 a year. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay about $107 a year in taxes.

Some projects completed from Pettisville's permanent improvement fund include parking lot renovation, carpeting in music rooms, local funds for bus replacement, annual payment for fiber communications network, and modular classroom purchase and installation.

Other issues include a replacement 1-mill, five-year road levy in parts of Swan Creek Township. Residents who live inside Swanton or Delta village limits will not vote on the issue.

Chesterfield Township is asking residents to renew a 1-mill, five-year fire levy and a 2-mill, five-year road levy.

Clinton Township is asking voters for an extra 1-mill, five-year road levy and a 0.3-mill, five-year replacement fire levy.

A township zoning plan is on the ballot in Dover Township. The proposed zoning code designates areas for agricultural, real estate, and commercial-industrial purposes.

This marks the fifth time that residents have voted on a zoning plan. The most recent decision was in March, 2000, when it lost by two votes, 201-199.