Relax, Boardman; no new tax levy attempt expected

BOARDMAN — Although township trustees have made no decisions, a second levy attempt appears unlikely, at least this year.

“The voters have already told us what they want us to do: Not ask them for more money,” Trustee Kathy Miller said.

Voters last November rejected by about 60 percent the 4.1-mill levy that was aimed at maintaining township services, prompting speculation about the likelihood of layoffs. The levy would have generated about $4 million per year.

Last month, trustees passed a $19.6 million general fund budget for 2008 with only $15 million expected in revenue. Miller voted against budget passage.

“In the whole scheme of things, the public has told us, ‘We’re not paying for it anymore. Figure it out.’ And we haven’t done that,” Miller said.

Administrator Jason Loree said the township has two options in addressing its impending shortfall.

The first is to run through the roughly $4 million reserve until it’s gone and then address the deficit with either another levy attempt or layoffs.

The second? “Make cuts sooner rather than later to stretch the finances over further at the expense of services,” Loree said.

No decisions have been made.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.