File photo LEVIES PASS — An ambulance is parked in front of the Steubenville Fire Department in this file photo. On Tuesday, city voter renewed levies Steubenville uses to pay firefighters/EMTs, police and other employees.

STEUBENVILLE — City officials were relieved Tuesday when preliminary election results showed Steubenville’s two levy renewals passing easily.

The levies — a 0.7% income tax and a 0.3% income tax — will remain in place until 2031.

*The 0.7% levy generates about $4.648 million a year, with about $3.748 million supporting staffing, primarily for first responders (police, fire and paramedics), though employees in other general fund departments, like the street and recreation departments, benefit as well. Some of the money also pays for street resurfacing projects and park and recreation improvements, and some is used as the local match to leverage state and federal grants.

The 0.3% levy generates about $1.992 million, with 85% of the revenue — a little more than $1.693 million — going to the general fund for staffing, while the remaining 15% ($298,800) helps pave streets.

“We want to thank all of the voters who came out in support of the levies today,” Fire Chief Joe Ribar said. “We heard a lot of positive comments regarding the police and fire departments while our members were at the polls — that really meant a lot to (them).”

For the 0.7% levy, preliminary tallies show 1,437 votes cast in favor of renewal and just 469 against, a 75% margin of victory.

The 0.3% levy also passed easily, unofficially drawing 1,400 votes in favor and 502 against, nearly a 74% margin of victory.

Afterward, City Manager Mike Johnson said he is grateful to voters for saying yes.

“The citizens recognize the importance the levies play in ensuring that our police, fire and emergency services have the proper resources they need to respond quickly and effectively,” he said. “The levies also provide resources to improve the roads, purchase city equipment and enhance recreational opportunities for the community. The levies historically have been supported by the citizens, and I am very appreciative of the citizens’ support for them. I thank everyone who supported the levies.”

Mayor Ralph Petrella said it was “super important to get a yes vote.”

“We have people whose lives depend on this on a daily basis, so getting this ‘yes’ vote meant the world to us,” he said, describing it as “vital” to city operations.

“We need it, we need to be able to pay our staff to keep our city moving forward,” he added. “I think the message is that the majority of our citizens want that. There’s definitely a lot of ‘anti-tax’ talk in Ohio right now, and I think the economy is rough … but as government officials we need to educate our citizens on where their money is going and the services they are getting for their money. We have to be able to pay for services, we have to pay for things to keep our city moving forward.”

Fire Chief Joe Ribar said seeing the levies renewed is “definitely a big relief for us.

“Even though these levies historically have passed overwhelmingly, we are always concerned because of how impactful it would be to the department if they were ever to fail.”

Police Chief Ken Anderson was equally appreciative, saying public support for the levies “shows their support for the police and fire departments as well as other city services that the levies help fund.”

“Our employees will continue to work hard every day to serve and protect the residents of our great city,” he added. “We are very grateful for their continued support.”