Area voters OK fire levy, reject funds for schools

8/8/2007

A fire and emergency levy in Erie County s Margaretta Township won approval yesterday, while voters rejected school levies and bond issues during special elections in Allen, Putnam, Sandusky, and Seneca counties.

In the only nonmoney issue on the ballot in northwest Ohio, voters in Alvordton overwhelming agreed, 50-21, that the Williams County village shall possess corporate powers no more and revert to township rule.

The village located in Millcreek Township has a population of 298, according to 2005 U.S. Census estimates.

Those who circulated petitions to get the question on the ballot said that spending money to operate a village hall and a village government brought residents no advantage.

A petition was filed in November, 2006, so that the matter would be on the February, 2007, ballot. But the question was not on that ballot because county elections officials said the proper paperwork was not filed.

In Margaretta Township, voters approved a 5-year, 1.25-mill replacement and a 0.75-mill increase for fire protection and emergency medical services, 501-233.

In the Columbus Grove Local School District, split between Allen and Putnam counties, voters turned down a 7.72-mill, 28-year bond issue and a 0.5-mill additional continuing levy, 1,080-958. The defeat was the third for the district, which seeks a new building for prekindergarten through high school.

The bond issue would have raised $9.8 million under the classroom facilities assistance program of the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The commission would have contributed $17.6 million. The continuing levy would have been used for permanent improvements.

While voters on the Putnam County side of the district defeated the measure, 53 to 47 percent, those on the Allen County side tied 95 votes to 95 votes.

In the Clyde-Green Springs Exempted Village School District, a 1.5-mill, 5-year replacement levy for permanent improvements was defeated, 975-823. Voters in the district, divided between Sandusky and Seneca counties, turned down the same issue in May.

Voters in the Tiffin City School District defeated a 1.5-mill, 5-year additional levy for permanent improvements, 1,873-1,661. The levy would have brought an estimated $506,800 to the district. A 1-mill levy expires at the end of the year, but voters defeated the same measure for more money in May.