NEWS

5 issues going before voters

Todd Hill
Reporter

BUCYRUS – Voters in various parts of Crawford County will be asked to pass judgment on five issues in Tuesday’s primary.

Four of the measures are renewal levies, while one income tax levy is going before voters for the second time after being rejected last November. Only one of the five issues is countywide.

Voters within the Wynford Local School District will be looking at renewing a pair of three-year levies — a 6.9-mill operating measure first passed in 2002 and a 2.3-mill emergency measure first passed in 1993. The first would bring an estimated $791,480 to the district annually and cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 about $160.30 a year. The second would direct about $350,000 to the district each year, costing the owner of a $100,000 home $72.45 annually.

Wynford superintendent Steve Mohr said the levy funds have proven invaluable to the school district.

“We’ve been able to not only maintain what programs we have, but we’ve added to the academic programs we do have. We’ve also been able to meet the numerous state mandates that are required, and have expanded extracurricular activities where there’s interest,” he said.

Added to the schools in recent years has been the senior project, an expanded junior high curriculum in a number of different areas and expanded online instruction capabilities. Swimming has been made a varsity sport and junior high theatrical productions have also been added.

Crestline Schools is asking voters for a 0.75 percent income tax for 10 years, a new measure, that would bring in an estimated $460,000 annually to the district.

“We need newer school buses. We are in fear that some of them may not pass inspection by the Highway Patrol,” superintendent Noreen Mullens said. “We would also be able to keep all our staff without further cuts.”

This spring Crestline Schools trimmed $350,000 from its budget by eliminating two and a half teaching positions and three classified employees. Compensation was also reduced for staff and administration.

If the income tax levy fails again, “we would be facing additional cuts in our staff, because 70 percent of our budget is salaries and benefits,” Mullens said.

On the county level, a 10-year, 0.5-mill renewal levy benefiting Children Services will be on Tuesday’s ballot that’s expected to bring in about $256,512 a year, costing the owner of a $100,000 home $10.13 on an annual basis.

“We are not asking the taxpayers of Crawford County for any additional money at this time,” the Crawford County Commissioners said in a statement. “This funding will enable us to continue to provide for the costs associated with the caring for children.”

Finally, Texas Township, a sliver of a municipality in the northwest corner of the county, is asking its voters to renew for five years a one-mill levy first approved five years ago. It would bring the township about $7,053 annually, costing the owner of a $100,000 home $31.50 a year.

“The levy has totally allowed us to function. None of the money is spent on any frills, we’re very conservative with all it. We don’t have anything new or fancy,” Janelle Brause, fiscal officer for the county, said.

“Certain things have to be paid out of the general fund, such as salaries, the fire department, which we contract through Sycamore, and EMS. The local money from the state that we get through the county auditor continues to be less and less. It’s half of what it was in 2008.”

thill3@nncogannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ