Election results: Issues in Columbus suburbs
The following are unofficial election results of issues on the Nov. 8, 2022, ballot in Columbus suburbs covered by ThisWeek.
Delaware County
Delaware County senior-services levy passes
Voters throughout Delaware County overwhelmingly approved a five-year, 1.3-mill renewal levy for senior services plus a 0.1-mill increase. Passage is expected to generate more than $11 million annually, about $959,000 than it currently does, according to the Delaware County Auditor’s Office.
According to final unofficial results from the Delaware County Board of Elections on Nov. 8, the vote was 65,372 to 29,294 (69% to 31%), with all 167 county-wide precincts reporting.
The levy is to cost $35.05 in total annually per $100,000 of home value, or an additional $3.45, according to the auditor’s office.
Orange Township parks, roads levies pass
Orange Township trustees had two levy renewals on the ballot – one for roads and bridges and one for parks and recreation. Voters overwhelmingly said yes to both.
According to final unofficial results from the Delaware County Board of Elections on Nov. 8, the roads levy vote was 10,017 to 4,065 (71% to 29%), with all precincts reporting. The parks levy vote was a little closer at 9,228 to 4,808 (66% to 34%).
The 0.5-mill roads levy has an effective millage rate of 0.4 mill and remains at $14 per $100,000 of home value, according to the Delaware County Auditor’s Office.
The 1.mill parks levy has an effect rate of 0.77 mill, and the renewal continues at $23.58 annually per $100,000 of home value, according to the auditor’s office
Fairfield County
Third time is a charm for Pickerington Schools bond issue
After defeats in fall 2020 and spring 2021, it appears Pickerington Schools can finally pass a 2.8-mill bond expected to generate about $90 million over the next 37 years so the district can build a third junior high school and upgrade other buildings.
With all 41 precincts reported, the Pickerington Schools bond issue passed 12,056 to 8,990 (57% to 43%).
Beginning in January 2023, homeowners are to pay $1,053.15 per $100,000 of home value. However, district officials have said because property valuations are forecasted to increase by an average of 24 percent for 2022, and due to the structure of the proposed new debt, they’re forecasting the Fairfield County Auditor is to be able to decrease the total tax rate needed to pay district debt service by a half of a mill and local tax rate should not increase.
Violet Township voters approve senior center renewal levy
Violet Township voters renewed a five-year, 0.2-mill levy that is to generate $227,000 per year to maintain services and facilities for the Pickerington Senior Center.
According to final unofficial results of the Fairfield County Board of Elections, with all 34 precincts reporting Nov. 8, the renewal levy passed 13,038 to 6,262 (685% to 32%).
Because it's a renewal, the levy would not result in an increase in taxes for local voters but would cost homeowners in Violet Township $20 per $100,000 of home value assessed by the Fairfield County Auditor’s Office, according to the Violet Township fiscal officer.
Franklin County
Voters approve Worthington Schools combined bond and continuing PI levy
Voters in the Worthington Schools showed their support to make improvements to both high schools and maintain facilities with a bond issue and permanent-improvements levy.
The $234 million, 38-year bond is expected to finance improvements at Thomas Worthington and Worthington Kilbourne high schools, with the 1.9-mill PI levy providing repairs and upkeep of equipment and grounds for a continuing (permanent) period of time.
According to final unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, the bond and PI vote was 15,209 to 11,897 (56% to 44%) with all precincts reporting.
The bond issue is listed by the auditor’s office and the Franklin County Board of Elections as 4.56 mills. At that full rate, the annual cost per $100,000 of home value is expected to be $159.60. At the anticipated rate of 1.0 mill, it’s expected to cost $35 per $100,000 annually, according to district officials.
Worthington Schools incremental operating levy passes
Voters showed their support of a levy to fund new staff to keep up with inflation and growing enrollment.
On the ballot was an incremental operating levy starting with an additional 2.9 mills in 2023 – or an additional $101.50 annually per $100,000 of appraised property value – followed by three 2.0-mill increments in the next three years – or an additional $70 per $100,000 of appraised property value each year from 2024 to 2026.
According to final unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, the levy vote was 14,354 to 12,920 (53% to 47%), with all precincts reporting.
Grandview Heights passes municipal facilities bond
The city of Grandview Heights is to be able to build a new municipal complex, a new Grandview Center and restore the current municipal building at 1016 Grandview Ave. following the passage of a 28-year, 3.88-mill bond issue that’s expected to generate $33.64 million.
According to unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, the bond issue passed 2,692 to 1,478 (65% to 35%) with all six precincts reported.
According to the city’s finance department, the bond is to cost homeowners an additional $136 in property taxes per $100,000 of home value as assessed by the Franklin County Auditor’s Office. The city would cover the rest of the cost using cash reserves accumulated by various cost savings over the past decade.
New Albany-Plain Local Schools replacement levy passes
Voters in the New Albany-Plain Local Schools said yes to a 1.75-mill, five-year-permanent-improvements replacement levy that included a 0.5-mill increase. The levy is expected to raise upwards of $2 million in the first year, according to district officials.
According to final unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, the vote was 5,759 to 3,264 (64% to 36%), with all 21 district precincts reporting.
Even with voter approval, the result is a net annual tax decrease of 88 cents per $100,000 in property value because of 0.75 mill in bond debt that rolls off the books at the end of the year. That bond debt combined with the effective rate of the current levy costs taxpayers $62.13 annually. The replacement levy is to cost $61.25 annually.
New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District bond issue, levy pass – barely
Voters narrowly approved a field house and community center at Bevelhymer Park.
Two New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District issues were on the ballot: a $46 million, 30-year bond issue to pay for the facility and a permanent 0.69-mill levy to fund its operation.
According to final unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, the bond-issue vote was 4,605 to 4,438 (51% to 49%), with all 21 precincts reporting. The levy vote was 4,645 to 4,416 (51% to 49%).
In Licking County, the bond-issue vote was 20 to 5 for it (80% to 20%). Similarly, the levy failed 21 to 4 (84% to 16%).
The bond issue and levy combined is to cost a combined $101.85 annually per $100,000 of home value – $77.70 for the bond issue and $24.15 for the levy.
With both counties combined, the bond issue passed by about 51% to about 49%.
Upper Arlington Schools voters approve 6.9-mill operating levy
Voters approved a new 6.9-mill operating levy for Upper Arlington Schools that’s expected to generate $16.189 million per year for day-to-day expenses, such as teacher salaries, instructional and pupil support, technology and transportation.
At roughly 9:30 p.m., UA Schools issued a press release stating the levy had passed with 53% voter approval versus 47% opposition.
According to Nov. 9 unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections, with all 36 precincts reported, the levy passed 10,623 to 9,194 (54% to 46%).
The levy is to increase annual property taxes in the district by $241.50 per $100,000 of home valuation, as determined by the Franklin County Auditor's Office.
For a home valued at about $400,000, that would amount to an additional $966 per year, based on calendar year 2022 tax valuations, district officials have said.
Marble Cliff voters approve electricity aggregation
Voters in the village of Marble Cliff voted to establish an aggregation program to provide electricity service for residents and small businesses using renewable, clean energy.
According to unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, the aggregation program was approved by a vote of 281 to 115 (71% to 29%) with the village’s single precinct counted.
Hilliard voters approve electricity aggregation program
Voters in Hilliard approved a ballot issue to grant the city the authority to establish an electricity aggregation program from which any resident can opt out.
According to final unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections on Nov. 9, and with all 23 Hilliard precincts reporting, the vote on Issue 35 was 8,921 (62%) in favor of the measure and 5,579 (38%) against the ballot issue.
The measure is to grant the city the authority to negotiate a bulk rate for electricity produced from sustainable sources.
Liquor options overwhelmingly pass in Westerville
Westerville voters said "Yes” to businesses seeking to expand liquor options in the Nov. 8 election.
Uptown Gather, 74 N. State St., got the okay for sales of beer, wine and mixed beverages and spirituous liquor for weekdays and wine and mixed beverages on Sundays.
Voters said "Yes” to Sunday sales for wine and mixed beverages at Good Vibes Winery, 2 S. State St.
Sugarbees Fine Confections, 20 S. State St., Suite A, received approval for weekday sales of beer, wine and mixed beverages and spirituous liquor, as well as Sunday sales.
DiCarlo’s Pizza, 20 S. State St., units K and H, also received approval for weekday sales of beer, wine and spirits and Sunday sales of wine and spirits.
First Watch, 2 Huber Village Blvd., received voter approval for weekday sales of beer, wine and spirits and Sunday sales of wine and spirits.
Voters also approved weekday sales of beer, wine, mixed beverages and liquor at Life in the Ville, 28 S. State St.
All 6 Reynoldsburg charter amendments pass
Voters in the city of Reynoldsburg approved all six charter amendments on the ballot.
Although some amendments were more housekeeping in nature, others had a little more teeth, such as giving the president of City Council a vote and merging the city’s planning commission and board of zoning and building appeals.
With all 23 city precincts reporting in Franklin County and a clear sweep in Fairfield and Licking counties, the amendments are to move forward.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Nov. 8 election results for issues in Columbus suburbs
