ASHLAND — Ashland County voters will see 12 renewal tax levies regarding roads/bridges and police, fire and emergency medical services on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The other three renewal levies are for current expenses in Lake Township, permanent improvements in the Ashland City School District and operating expenses for Ashland County Park District.
There are five renewal levies regarding fire and emergency medical services. All of those are property tax levies except for Ashland City, which is an income tax levy.
As renewal tax issues, none of these ballot issues will result in additional taxes.
The levies fund the purchasing and maintenance of fire equipment and appliances, buildings, firefighter and EMS wages/salaries, ambulance equipment and related expenses.
There are seven proposed levies that provide funds for the construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of roads and bridges in Ashland County.
Note that all county auditor estimates of property tax levy impacts do not consider many other factors, such as Current Agricultural Use Value, that will influence the total amount of tax charged.
To view how much each property tax levy, if passed, will cost for your home’s market value, visit the Ashland County Auditor’s levy estimator.
Ashland City
Police, fire and/or emergency medical services
Ashland City seeks to renew a quarter-percent income tax levy that generates revenue for city police and fire departments.
If voters pass the levy, which is set to expire in 2026, it will extend for another five years and provide an expected $1.2 million to each agency.
Earlier this year, Mayor Matt Miller said police and fire division staff has increased since the levy first passed in 2016.
The fire division is staffed with 41 uniformed personnel and the police division is staffed with 35 officers, which includes three in training and 2 part-time officers.
Roads and bridges
Ashland City proposes the renewal of quarter-percent income tax for street repairs — a tax that was approved by voters in 2016 and 2020.
If passed, the levy, which is set to expire in 2026, will extend for another five years. It is expected to generate $2.3 million in 2026.
Earlier this year, Miller said the streets levy has led to the repaving of 146 of 220 lane miles since its passage.
Orange Township
Police, fire and/or emergency medical services
The renewal of the 0.92 mill property tax would fund fire and emergency medical services for five years. That means for a residential property in Orange Township with a market value of $100,000, the levy would cost $22.57 annually.
Ashland County Auditor Cindy Funk estimates the tax will collect $59,480 annually, according to the auditor’s website.
Voters previously passed the levy in 2016 and again in 2021.
Roads and bridges
Orange Township residents will also see two renewal property tax levies for roads and bridges on the ballot: one for 1 mill and the other for 2 mills. Both renew for another five years.
Voters previously passed the levies in 2015 and again in 2021.
The 1 mill tax would cost residential property owners an estimated $17.33 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $62,935 annually.
The 2 mills tax would cost residential property owners an estimated $10.31 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $35,885 annually.
Troy Township
Police, fire and/or emergency medical services
Troy Township proposes a 1.4 mills property tax for the next five years. Voters previously passed the levy in 2015 and again 2020.
Funk estimates the tax will collect $37,180 annually, which amounts to $29 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value for residential properties.
Township Trustee Chase Galloway said the fire department is operating with an aging fleet of fire trucks, so the tax could help fund the purchase of a new fire truck.
Roads and bridges
Troy Township residents will vote on a 1.8 mills property tax to renew for another five years. Voters previously passed the levy in 2015 and again in 2020.
The levy would cost residential property owners an estimated $33.31 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $47,800 annually.
Galloway said a lot of the taxes collected helps purchase aggregate to complete “chip and seal” projects, which are designed to preserve roads.
Galloway said the township addresses aging culverts with the money as well. “Troy Township takes a lot of pride in its roads,” he said.
Milton Township
Milton Township residents will see two renewal property tax levies for roads and bridges on the ballot: one for 2.5 mills and the other for 1.4 mills. Both renew for another five years.
Voters previously passed the levies in 2016 and 2020.
The 2.5 mills levy would cost residential property owners an estimated $24.12 per every $100,000 of the market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $186,270 annually.
The 1.4 mills levy would cost residential property owners an estimated $8.11 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $91,270 annually.
Township Trustee Eric Fulk said “I think we’re in better shape than we’ve ever been with roads.” He said the money helps the township maintain the roads.
Perry Township
Roads and bridges
Perry Township proposes a 2 mills property tax to renew for another five years. Voters previously passed the levy in 2020.
The levy would cost residential property owners an estimated $35 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $99,600 annually.
Township Trustee James E. Uhler said the price of fuel and raw materials for repaving and construction of roads is increasing, so the levy is important to fund road work.
“We have good support in the community, so I am counting on that to help get the levy passed again,” Uhler said.
Green-Perrysville Joint Fire District
The fire district seeks a 1.5 mills property tax for the next five years, a measure that first passed in 2015 and again in 2020.
Funk estimates the tax will collect $133,690 annually, which amounts to $27.82 per every $100,000 of market value for residential properties in the fire district.
Jeromesville Community Fire District
The fire district seeks a 1 mill property tax for the next five years. It first passed in 2015 and again in 2021.
Funk estimates the tax will collect $113,685 annually, which amounts to an estimated $17.77 per every $100,000 of market value for residential properties in the fire district.
Other levies
Lake Township
Lake Township seeks to renew a 0.5 mill property tax for the next five years for “current expenses.” Voters previously passed the levy in 2015 and again in 2020.
Those current expenses are general operating costs for the township trustees garage, such as paying electricity bill and getting office supplies.
The levy would cost residential property owners an estimated $7.15 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $6,850 annually.
Ashland City School District
Ashland City School District seeks to renew a 1.25-mill property tax for the next five years for permanent improvements. Voters previously passed the levy in 2015 and again in 2020.
The levy has funded improvements and purchasing of new physical spaces. That includes new school buses, parking lot repaving, roof maintenance, heating and air conditioning and more, Supt. Steve Paramore said.
Paramore said there could be renovations to athletic facilities within the next five years, but he does not foresee constructing a new buildings.
“We’re very appreciative of our local taxpayers who have continued to be very positive at the polls,” Paramore said.
The levy would cost residential property owners an estimated $21.32 per every $100,000 of market property value. Funk estimates the tax will collect $638,785 annually.
For more information about the Nov. 4 election, visit the Ashland County Board of Elections.