The vote is the first legislative step in placing the property tax issue on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election, said Oakwood Vice Mayor Steve Byington.
The renewal levy “will maintain the current level of property taxation,” as the existing one approved five years ago is set to expire at the end of 2021, Byington said.
Council will address more legislation next month, he said. Aug. 4 is the filing deadline to get issues on the Nov. 2 ballot, according to the Ohio secretary of state’s website.
The levy was first approved by Oakwood voters in 1991, city officials said. It has been passed every five years since, each time this century with more than 70% support, Montgomery County records show.
The lowest level of voter approval in the past two decades was in 2016, when 72% of ballots cast backed the issue, according to the county.
The levy generates about $460,000 annually and costs $78 a year for the owner of a home valued at $200,000, Oakwood City Manager Norbert Klopsch said in an email.
Funds from the levy account for about 3.5% of this year’s city general services budget, which is $13,255,893, Klopsch said.
The general services budget involves several different funds, he said. It includes the general fund, more than half of which is spent on police, fire and EMS services.
It also includes the street maintenance and repair fund and leisure activity fund, from which parks and recreation is supported.
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