Despite Ohioans having to endure an unnecessary and expensive special election in August, it is still critically important that everyone register and participate in the November general election.
School levies, park levies and safety service levies all have a direct, tangible effect on our communities - and on residents’ taxes and budgets.
CHART: See all of our region’s school levies
Both Centerville Schools and Oakwood Schools filed levies this year. Centerville’s 5.9-mill levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $207 per year and generate $12.9 million annually. Oakwood’s 6.75-mill levy would raise $2.5 million annually, and cost the owner of a $100,000 home roughly $236 per year.
Beavercreek voters will decide on a new 1.93-mill park levy that, if passed, would pay to develop the city’s huge new Spring House Park, plus fund staff and equipment for the entire parks district. If approved, the levy would raise property taxes by $68 per $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.
The existence of your municipality can be decided in an election. More than 100 registered Harveysburg voters signed a petition to dissolve the village over controversy surrounding the Renaissance Festival — Harveysburg residents will now face a vote to surrender their village’s corporate powers.
After recent headlines surrounding poor behavior from elected officials at local school boards in Tipp City and Lakota, voters should take seriously their duty to elect candidates who will represent them professionally and responsibly.
And if you’re disappointed with your options on this November’s ballot, consider running for office next year. You might be the candidate your neighbors and community are waiting for.
Regardless of how you vote in this election, we want to arm you with as much information about the issues and candidates as possible. Today, we’ve released our 2023 Voter Guide, which allows you to research your candidates and hear, in their words, why you should elect them.
Democracy doesn’t only happen in even-year elections - don’t let your voice go unheard this November.
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