MAHONING VALLEY Many tax issues due on ballots

One issue for senior citizens will appear on ballots in two counties.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Yet another Mahoning County 0.5 percent sales tax and a first-time levy to help senior citizens in Mahoning and Trumbull counties are some of the major issues local voters will consider when they go to the polls March 2.
Thursday was the filing deadline for questions, issues and local options to file the necessarily paperwork to appear on the March 2 primary ballot. Candidates wanting to run in the primary have until Jan. 2 to file their nominating petitions.
In Mahoning County, voters will once again vote on a five-year sales tax renewal. It is one of two 0.5 percent sales taxes in the county. The one to be considered in March was approved in 1999 and expires Dec. 31, 2004.
But unlike when it was approved in 1999, a provision to set aside a portion of the money collected to give to communities in the county for development projects isn't a part of the renewal proposal. That's because of the county's ailing financial situation.
The proceeds from the senior citizen levy, about $3.8 million in Mahoning and $3 million in Trumbull, would go to the District XI Area Agency on Aging. This is the first time the agency is seeking a tax levy in the two counties.
Austintown
Also, Austintown trustees are giving a 2.5-mill police levy another shot. The levy was rejected by township voters in November. The levy would collect about $1.4 million a year for an indefinite period of time from township voters.
There is a chance the levy could be pulled by the trustees before the March primary.
Trustees Bo Pritchard and David Ditzler said they would vote to take it off the ballot next month if Trustee-elect Lisa Oles opposes it.
School districts
The Western Reserve school district is seeking the passage of a 5.7-mill new levy in March. Just last month, voters in the school district rejected a smaller 4-mill levy.
The South Range school district also placed a new tax levy on the primary ballot. The 6.9-mill levy would raise $921,425 annually for five years.
Also, the Canfield, Poland and Jackson-Milton school districts are seeking renewal levies, and the Springfield school district wants voters to renew a 1 percent income tax for another five years.
In Trumbull County, residents of the Bristol, Brookfield, Girard, Lakeview, Liberty, and Newton Falls school districts are being asked to support new tax levies. Liberty school residents will also see a tax renewal request.
Trumbull townships, schools
Also, Brookfield Township is seeking approval for a new 2-mill police levy, and Weathersfield is asking voters to support a new 1.5-mill fire levy.
Liberty placed a 4.8-mill replacement police levy up for consideration. The levy would raise about $1 million and replaces two current levies that bring in $725,000 combined.
Warren is seeking a three-year extension on its 0.5 percent safety forces income tax, that was passed in 2001, and expires Dec. 31, 2004.
Seeking tax renewals on the March 2 ballot are: Champion, Hubbard Township, Liberty, and the Joseph Badger and LaBrae school districts.
Columbiana County
In Columbiana County, residents of Salem will decide on a new levy for recreation while East Liverpool residents will vote on two new levies, one for park improvements and the other for fire protection.
The Lisbon school district is seeking a new tax levy to pay for renovations at War Memorial Stadium, but Salem school officials are opting to wait on a tax proposal.
Salem school officials had considered returning in the primary with a 7.85-mill, five-year emergency levy that was rejected by voters in November. But the school board delayed a decision until three new members begin terms next month so they can give their input.
skolnick@vindy.com