The Upper Valley Career Center’s permanent 1.5-mill property tax levy for additional operating money passed with 53.6 percent of the vote in Miami, Shelby, Darke, Auglaize and Logan counties.
Upper Valley officials say the levy funds will pay to upgrade and maintain facilities, buses and equipment, as well as expanding programs both at the Piqua main campus and at the partner high schools.
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Superintendent Nancy Luce said by next school year, UVCC will be adding part-time and full-time teaching staff in some partner high schools, to give more students access to career training. UVCC will also begin the expansion of its welding lab.
“We deeply appreciate the strong support of our communities in Miami and Shelby counties,” Luce said. “Passage of the operating levy will enable the Upper Valley Career Center to expand and evolve its programs and services in order to better meet the needs of area students and employers for skills-based workforce training.”
Renewal levies
Renewals keep existing tax rates the same, but extend those levies into future years.
** Northmont schools were asking voters to renew their existing 9-mill operating levy and to make it permanent. With all precincts reporting, the renewal passed by more than a 2-1 ratio.
** Brookville schools were seeking renewal of two tiny levies for another five years each – a 0.8-mill permanent improvement levy and a 0.24-mill operating levy. Both levies passed with more than 65 percent support with all 10 precincts reporting.
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** New Lebanon schools put their 0.75% income tax levy on the ballot for another five-year renewal. With all precincts reporting, the renewal passed with 61 percent of the vote.
** Miamisburg schools were asking voters to approve their 8.3-mill substitute levy for another five years. A substitute levy is similar to a renewal in that it keeps existing residents’ taxes the same, but allows the school district to gain revenue in the future when new homes and businesses are built. With all precincts reporting, yes votes outnumbered no votes by a 64-36 ratio.
** Troy schools were seeking renewal of a 5.9-mill property tax levy for another five years to cover operating expenses. With all precincts reporting, the levy passed by a 67-33 ratio.
** Tipp City schools were asking voters to renew a 4.5-mill levy for another five years. The levy was for regular operating costs, not buildings, after voters rejected a school construction issue in May. The levy was approved by a 61-39 ratio, the closest margin of the Miami school school levy renewals.
** Miami East schools had a 0.8-mill permanent improvement levy up for renewal for another five years. The levy passed by a 68-32 ratio.
** Residents of the Bethel Local Schools were deciding on renewal of a five-year, 0.75% income tax increase to pay for regular operating expenses. Miami County Board of Elections results showed 66 percent voted yes.
** Covington schools residents were voting on a five-year renewal of a 1.25% income tax. With all precincts reporting, yes votes were ahead by a 66-34 ratio.
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