CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ross County voters could decide up to eight local tax levies and policy questions at the Nov. 3 general election, including renewals for the county health district and two Bainbridge village levies, new income taxes sought by Chillicothe and Chillicothe City Schools, and a proposed electricity aggregation program in Huntington Township.
The issues stem from petitions filed for the November ballot and have not yet been certified. The Ross County Board of Elections is scheduled to meet later this month to determine whether the petitions meet legal requirements to appear before voters, according to the county’s ballot issue list.
The Ross County Health District is seeking a five-year renewal of its 1-mill operating levy, which does not increase taxes above what property owners currently pay for the levy.
Chillicothe City Schools is asking voters to approve a 0.75% annual income tax on the earned income of district residents for five years to cover current expenses. The request comes after a similar income tax renewal failed by 61 votes in the May special election, according to final unofficial results at the time.
The city of Chillicothe is separately asking voters to approve a new 0.2% municipal income tax dedicated exclusively to street paving, repairs and improvements. Chillicothe City Council moved to place the tax on the ballot after a nearly identical measure narrowly failed at the polls in May.
Paint Valley Local School District is seeking a five-year renewal of a 2.5-mill levy for permanent improvements.
Huntington Township has two measures on the list: a five-year renewal of a 1-mill levy for fire and EMS purposes, and a proposed ordinance that would authorize the township to enter into an electricity aggregation program with an opt-out provision, allowing officials to negotiate electricity rates on behalf of residents and businesses who do not choose to opt out.
The village of Bainbridge is seeking two separate five-year levy renewals for operating expenses, one at 2 mills and another at 2.9 mills.
Ballot language and all issues remain subject to certification by the Ross County Board of Elections.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Ross County Board of Elections.
