ALLEN COUNTY — Levy increases and renewals on the ballot in Allen County will determine the fate of fire protection and road maintenance in Bath Township, as well as educational funding for Delphos, Perry and Bluffton school districts.
Bath: Residents will see two levy increases on the ballot in Bath Township: A 2.5-mill levy for the fire department and a 1-mill levy for the roads department, which would each be good for five years.
The fire department’s proposed levy increase would raise an additional $746,000 per year at a cost of $88 for each $100,000 in assessed value, according to estimates provided to the Allen County Board of Elections.
This is the first levy increase the Bath Fire Department has asked for in 20 years.
Voters approved a 3-mill renewal levy for the fire department in November but narrowly rejected the 2.5 mill additional levy, which will come before Bath voters for a second time on March 19.
Bath Fire Union President Jared Jenkins told The Lima News last month that the additional funds would allow the fire department to restore staffing levels, as the fire department has already eliminated three full-time firefighter-paramedic positions and cut part-time hours by 75% since the levy increase failed in November.
The 1-mill levy for roads would raise about $300,000 per year for five years, costing taxpayers $35 for each $100,000 of assessed value.
Voters in Pusheta Township, Auglaize County will see a similar request for an additional 4.25-mill fire levy, which would raise $230,000 annually for five years at a cost of $149 for each $100,000 of assessed value.
Renewal levies: Bluffton, Perry and Delphos schools are all asking to renew levies for their districts this month.
Bluffton schools is asking to renew a 3.541-mill levy, which raises $714,000 annually for the school district, for another five years at a cost of $124 for each $100,000 in assessed value.
Perry schools is asking to renew a 3.135-mill levy that raises $500,000 each year at a cost of about $110 for each $100,000 in assess value for five years.
Delphos schools is asking to renew two levies: A 2.25-mill levy that raises $237,000 each year at a cost of $39 for each $100,000 in assessed value, and a separate 5.5-mill levy that raises $1 million annually at a cost of $134 for each $100,000 in assessed value.
Both levies would remain for five years if renewed.
Local options: The only local option on the ballot in Allen County will come before voters in Lima’s seventh precinct, who will decide whether Sunny’s Quick Stop & Deli on Allentown Road can sell wine and mixed beverages on Sundays.
