The renewal of Wayne County Joint Vocational School District’s 0.5-mill, five-year levy for the purpose of general improvements, including updated facilities, technology and essential equipment for career and workforce training, was successful Tuesday evening. According to final, unofficial vote totals from the Ashland County Board of Elections and Wayne County Board of Elections, the measure passed by a count of 23,414 (57.32 percent) in favor and 17,431 (42.68) opposed. According to the county auditor, the levy generates $1,480,860 annually and costs homeowners $11 per each $100,000 of the auditor’s market value. These levy funds cannot be used for salaries, benefits…

The renewal of an existing fixed-sum levy, which generates approximately $456,400 annually for staffing, programs and day-to-day operations at Northwestern Local School District, was unsuccessful Tuesday evening. According to final, unofficial vote totals from the Ashland County Board of Elections and Wayne County Board of Elections, the measure failed by a count of 1,512 (50.56) opposed and 1,478 (49.43 percent) in favor. Based on estimates from the county auditor, the levy would have cost $63 per each $100,000 of property value. Voters in Ashland and Wayne counties also denied the renewal of this levy back in the May primary.

The renewal of Firelands Ambulance Service District’s five-year, 1-mill levy was successful Tuesday evening. According to final, unofficial vote totals from the Ashland County Board of Elections and Huron County Board of Elections, the measure passed by a count of 1,290 (57.20 percent) in favor and 965 (42.79) opposed. According to county auditor estimates, the levy will collect $134,120 annually at a cost to homeowners of $24 per each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value per year (or $2 per month). As a renewal, this is money that’s already being paid by such a property owner and is not…