Poland Village voters to face tax levy for roads on fall ballot

Staff report

POLAND

Village officials will ask voters in November to approve a 2-mill, five-year levy to repair roads.

“It’s gotten to the point where we really think something needs to be done, and we’re hoping residents agree,” said village council member Linda Srnec.

The proposed levy, which would generate $114,516 annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $70 per year, is something that council has been considering for a few months. Village officials point to the toll that winter weather has taken on the roads, and the fact that the village has less money for road repairs due to factors such as state funding cuts and drastic increases in the price of road salt.

Currently, road repairs are funded primarily by license-plate tax revenue. The village’s 2015 budget is about $1 million, with some money set aside for road repairs. The cost of paving a mile of road is more than $100,000.

“There are astronomical costs for this type of thing,” Srnec said.

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