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Sales tax approved in Columbiana Co.
By D.A. WILKINSON
LISBON
David Johnson, the chairman of the Columbiana County Republican Party and a member of the county board of elections, looked over the early results Tuesday night.
With 22 of 103 precincts counted, key issues, such as the renewal of the 1-percent sales tax, were ahead by about 20 percent.
Johnson said that in his experience, “That margin will hold.”
He added, “I’ve almost never seen the turnout reverse itself.”
And he was right.
The sales tax, as well as a school levy and a library levy, both in Salem, and other issues were approved.
Johnson joked the cause was, “All the Republicans came out to vote.”
County Commissioner Penny Traina said the county voters renewed a 1-percent, 5-year sales that raises $8 million a year, or about 44 percent of the county’s general fund. She said the voters’ response was a result of the collaborative effort of commissioners with the rest of the county.
“We’ve always been good stewards of the public’s money,” she added.
Traina said that in a sense, the commissioners’ karma is good.
“We’re a group of commissioners who work together,” she said.
Commissioner Jim Hoppel said he was pleased with the election outcome.
Another county issue, the renewal of the county health department’s 0.2-mill, 10-year renewal of a cancer detection clinic tax that provides $192,000 annually, also passed easily.
In Columbiana city, voters approved a new 2-mill, 5-year levy for fire protection that would raise $269,000 a year for more equipment. But the vote was close, with less than a 70 vote-margin.
Tom Bratten, the superintendent of the Salem schools, said, “I’m ecstatic. I couldn’t be more happy.”
Voters came through with a 6.7-mill, 5-year emergency renewal that raises about $2.1 million a year for the schools.
“It’s a huge vote of confidence that we’re heading in the right direction,” he added.
The Salem Public Library was also a winner. It asked for a 1.25–mill, additional continuing levy that will raise $366,800 a year.
Librarian Brad Stephens said, “I’m thrilled with the response.”
East Palestine voters were asked to approve a 5-mill, 5-year additional levy for road and bridge maintenance to raise $325,000 annually. They passed it 326 to 298.