Mahoning commissioners approve combined, reduced library levy for November

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County commissioners agreed to allow the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County to combine two real-estate tax levies into a single initiative for the Nov. 4 ballot.

A 1-mill levy passed in 2009 and a 1.8-mill measure approved in 2010 are to expire in December, Janet S. Loew said during Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting.

Loew, the library system’s communications and public-relations director, said the library board decided to place a 1.8-mill renewal levy on the ballot and add 0.6 mill while letting the 1-mill levy expire.

The effect of combining the two for a five-year, 2.4-mill levy, which would bring in about $9.3 million annually, will result in an 11 percent reduction for taxpayers, she added.

The owner of a $100,000 home pays $86 per year; passage of the combined levy in November would reduce that to $76 annually, noted Susan G. Merriman, fiscal officer.

Read more about the levy and the library system's finances in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.