Township plans to ask voters to approve 4.1-mill general levy

The levy would generate about $4.1 million annually, for five years.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — Township officials have decided to ask voters in November to approve a 4.1-mill general operating levy.

Trustees Chairwoman Elaine Mancini said the panel reached a consensus at a retreat conducted with trustees, department heads and some union representatives this week.

The amount is expected to allow township services to continue at their current levels.

Mancini said a general operating, rather than a safety levy, was chosen to create stability in all township departments.

The levy, which trustees must formally approve at two regular meetings, will run for five years, generating about $4.1 million annually.

Because 1 mill costs a township property owner $1 for every $1,000 of assessed valuation annually, if approved by voters the levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $100 per year.

Township officials have been talking for months about the need for a levy and also hinted at the possibility of layoffs. In May, department heads submitted recommendations for 25 percent reductions.

More levies will be needed

Jason Loree, township administrator, said that if the levy passes, layoffs likely won’t be necessary.

To bolster finances, when other levies run out, such as a road and bridge levy set to expire next year, the township may try to pass replacement levies to generate additional dollars, he said.

The last time the township asked for a new levy was in 1995. The township used inheritance tax, money from the estates of township residents who died, to increase services without asking voters for more money.

Township fiscal officer William Leicht has previously projected a $3.4 million deficit by year’s end. The difference is being made up with reserve funds, but changes in the state’s tangible personal property tax and the eventual phase-out of the estate tax has added to the financial difficulties.

Mancini expects formal action to move forward with the levy at trustees’ regular meeting Thursday.

After that, a levy committee will be established to campaign for the issue and explain its importance to the public, she said.