Voters approve library and human services levies

Levy proponents expressed gratitude for voters' generosity and compassion.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County voters overwhelmingly approved four countywide tax issues on Tuesday's ballot, giving financial life to the public library system as well as human services programs that serve the young, the mentally ill and the mentally retarded.
"We're grateful to the citizens of Mahoning County for having confidence in the Mahoning County Mental Health Board again," said Joseph Gorman, board spokesman.
"If you make your case, the voters are generous," Gorman said.
The mental health board's 0.5-mill, five-year renewal levy passed with 72.70 percent of the vote, the widest victory margin of any of the countywide issues.
The levy generates $1,008,977 a year.
Likewise, an 0.85-mill, five-year renewal levy for Mahoning County Children Services was approved with 69.43 percent of the vote.
Continuing their generosity, county residents also resoundingly approved a 3-mill, five-year renewal levy for the Mahoning County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities program. The vote was 68.53 percent for the levy and 31.47 percent against.
The levy generates $11,468,909 annually, which represents about 50 percent of MRDD's annual operating budget.
"It was critical that it pass. It will stabilize the program and allow us to concentrate more on programming and not worry so much about more cuts," said Larry Duck, MRDD superintendent.
"We thank the voters for their compassion. They come through every time," said Thomas Rickels, MRDD director of planning and development.
Library levy
Voters also approved a 1-mill, five-year replacement levy, which will generate $3,789,092 a year for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
The levy passed with a 60.95 percent majority.
"We are very grateful," said Carlton Sears, library director.
"We view this positive vote as a referendum on the plans we have set out for the future, which include extending library hours and improving the collection of books," he said.
Other issues
Two Western Reserve Transit Authority renewal levies, voted on by Youngstown city residents, passed with ease. They were a 2-mill, 10-year levy, which raises about $1,047,441 annually; and a 2-mill, four-year levy, which generates $1,097,835 a year.
Issues that increased taxes in four communities fared nearly as well as the countywide renewal levies.
Additional and replacement property tax issues in Springfield Township, Green Township and New Middletown were approved, but a 1 percent, five-year income tax failed in Beloit.
Springfield Township voters approved two 1-mill, five-year additional levies that will raise $96,720 a year for fire and emergency medical services equipment and for police operations.
In Green Township, residents passed a 2.1-mill, five-year additional levy that will raise $125,4440 a year for the police department.
New Middletown voters approved two five-year replacement levies. One is a 4-mill levy to raise $83,902 a year for the police department, and the other is a 2.5-mill levy to raise $52,529 annually for general operations. The two levies replace 3-mill levies.
alcorn@vindy.com