The Miami County Board of Elections had not been notified of the city’s plan as of 5:30 p.m. Friday.
If council approves the ordinance to withdraw, the notices would be posted at polling places Tuesday notifying voters of the levy’s withdrawal, said Bev Kendall, elections director.
In a brief statement Friday, the city apologized for any confusion, and indicated the recreation proposal likely would return down the road.
The misplaced decimal point meant the levy, if approved by voters, would have generated a “significant” amount less than the targeted $1 million a year for 10 years, elections board member Jose Lopez said Thursday.
The Miami County auditor approved for the city a 2.01 mill rate but the city “transposed a decimal point” and listed 0.201 mills in ballot language, Eric Morgan, deputy elections director, said.
The problem with the misplaced decimal was pointed out Wednesday, Nov. 2, to the board of elections by a voter.
The elections board Thursday told city Law Director Grant Kerber it was instructed by the Secretary of State’s Office to turn the issue over to the city and the county prosecutor – the election’s board legal representative – to determine what would happen next.
The city released a statement after 5 p.m. Friday announcing the request to withdraw. Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
“It’s imperative that we be clear and transparent in everything we do, especially related to tax issues. We apologize for any confusion but we really care about the community and do not want to have them misled by language that is not clear and concise,” Mayor Mike Beamish said in a written statement. “So, I’m recommending that we back up, reboot and make sure that future ballot language is consistent and precise.”
City council voted earlier this year to place the levy on the ballot, at the request of the Operation Recreation Committee, a group of community organizations offering recreation activities.
Bobby Phillips, president of the Operation Recreation Committee, and also a council member, said Friday evening the decision to ask council to withdraw the levy request appeared to be the right one.
“This seems to be the cleanest way to fall on the sword and say, ‘A mistake was made. We are going to correct it and return with all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted,’” Phillips said.
When the proposal might return to the ballot had not been determined, he said.
“Sure it’s a set back but it doesn’t change the fact things still need to be done,” Phillips said of the projects proposed for funding.
The Operation Recreation group had pledged to raise another $4 million from the private sector to help pay for proposed projects that include baseball and soccer fields; Senior Citizens Center improvements; and clubhouse renovations and a driving range at the Miami Shores Golf Course.
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