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On Tuesday, voters in several areas of Jefferson County will be asked to consider passage of levies to raise funds, through property taxes, for purposes ranging from recreational facilities to equipment for police and fire departments to maintenance of area roads.
Voters in Toronto will be asked to support a replacement levy supporting the city's parks and other recreational facilities, including the Karaffa Recreation Center acquired by the city from the Toronto School District for $1 in 2019.
The tax rate for the five-year levy, .05 mills, or 5 cents per each $100 of assessed property value, will remain the same. But beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, revenue from the levy will reflect current assessed values for the property, not their values when the levy was introduced in 1974.
As a result, the amount generated by the levy is expected to rise from $13,000 per year to $39,000 per year.
Toronto Council President Frank McEwen said city officials have discussed revising the levy for some time, particularly since acquiring the Karaffa Recreation Center, a former school.
The school district continues to use part of the building, formerly Karaffa Elementary School, for its pre-school program.
McEwen said while the school district contributes toward the cost for its utilities, it is still more than that for the city's former recreation center, now closed, because it's a larger building.
He said levy funds also will help to pay rising costs for the city's swimming pool, which is slated to be repainted next year; pool house, which requires roof repairs; and maintenance of local parks.
McEwen said the city has been able to keep costs down by employing its own staff for much of the work, but the levy is vital in covering the needed materials.
He expressed appreciation to voters who during the last several years have supported the levy's renewal several times, noting there's never been a need to put it on ballots a second time, and asked for voters' continued support.
A levy that will affect some residents of Toronto as well as areas of Stratton and Empire is a four-year, 0.5-mill levy supporting the day-to-day operations of Knox Township.
Township Fiscal Officer Roxanne Mazur said if approved, the levy will replace a similar one that was approved by voters in unincorporated areas of the township last year.
She said Knox Township trustees have been advised by the state auditor's office to include owners of property in areas of the three municipalities that fall within the township in their tax collections.
As a result, the new levy is expected to generate about $48,000 for the township, up from about $32,000 raised by the current one.
Mazur said funds from the levy go to various costs for running the township, with a chief one being the maintenance of township roads.
Voters in Empire will consider renewal of a five-year, 5-mill levy supporting current expenses for the village.
Residents of the villages of Rayland and Tiltonsville and unincorporated areas of Warren Township will consider passage of a 6-mill levy to support the creation of the Buckeye Joint Fire District.
Plans call for the Rayland and Tiltonsville fire departments to continue to exist while under the financial governance of a board comprised of elected and appointed representatives of the township and two villages.
Officials behind the district said it was spurred by a lack of volunteers and funds needed for paid emergency medical staff and the goal is to pool resources to ensure faster response times.
Plans call for the departments to have the same service areas and mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments while being toned out together to allow consistent response.
Residents of the village of Mount Pleasant will consider passage of a five-year 3-mill levy, for police protection, with new police equipment cited as a chief concern.
Voters in Amsterdam will consider renewal of two levies: A five-year, 2.7-mill levy for police protection, and a five-year, 5-mill levy for other expenses.
Voters in Dillonvale will decide the renewal of a five-year, 3-mill levy for police protection.
Voters in New Alexandria will consider renewal of a five-year, 7-mill levy for current expenses.
And, voters in Yorkville will decide the renewal of a 4.5-mill levy for fire equipment.