Election roundup: Rodman levy passing, West Branch levy fails

ALLIANCE − Rodman Public Library received love Tuesday from a majority of voters in three counties.

A 10-year, 1.5-mill tax renewal for the library passed late Tuesday, according to unofficial results in Stark, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. Revenue from the tax funds 35% of library expenses.

An unofficial total of 7,257 voters cast ballots in favor of the tax, and 3,545 voted against it. The majority of voters are in Stark County, where it passed with an unofficial total of 67.33% of votes.

"We appreciate all the support we receive from the community," said Eric Taggart, library director. "I appreciate all the work people did to get this levy passed, not the least of which is the work the staff does every day serving our patrons."

The issue was first approved by voters in 2010 and renewed in 2015. It generates $944,474 annually. The property tax costs homeowners $31.63 per year per $100,000 in home valuation.

Taggart said the library has, "a history of being well supported in our community." But he said the last time the levy was renewed in 2015 was a different landscape than now. "So there was some uncertainty," he added.

The favorable outcome with Tuesday's election allows library officials to maintain current services and programs, while also upgrading other aspects at the library, Taggart said.

"This certainly allows us to breathe easier, and we can worry less about the levy," he said, "and worry more about what we are going to do for the next 10 years."

Results in other Alliance area elections included:

Schools

• A five-year, 0.05% earned income tax for school operations in West Branch Local School District failed. Unofficial vote was 2,991 against to 2,129 for the tax request.

• A continuous 3.8-mill substitute tax levy for operating expenses in the Louisville City School District failed. Unofficial vote was 4,268 against the measure to 3,271 for the levy.

• The majority of voters approved a five-year, 8.5-mill renewal tax levy for operating expenses in the Marlington Local School District. Unofficial vote was 3,581 for the renewal to 2,494 against.

• A five-year, 2-mill renewal levy for permanent improvements in the Salem City School District passed. Unofficial vote was 3,687 for the tax renewal to 1,959 against.

Municipalities

• In Smith Township, a majority of voters rejected a five-year, 3-mill additional tax levy for the Police Department. Unofficial vote was 610 against the tax measure to 531 in favor.

• In Beloit Village, a 6-mill additional tax levy for the Fire Department was rejected by an unofficial four votes, 148 against to 144 for the tax.

• A five-year, 1.3-mill additional tax levy for the Goshen Township Police Department passed. Unofficial vote was 718 for the tax to 633 against the request.

• A majority of voters approved a five-year, 1.25-mill renewal tax levy for Washington Township's Road Department. Unofficial vote was 1,530 for to 436 against the tax levy.

Park System

• A majority of voters rejected a five-year, 0.35-mill additional tax levy for Columbiana County Park District. Unofficial vote was 15,771 against to 14,144 for the tax.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. Follow on Twitter @bduerREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Rodman Library levy passes; Smith Twp., Beloit voters reject issues