Income tax, library, ambulance and fire levies before Madison County voters this fall

There are no countywide issues on the Nov. 7 general election ballot in Madison County other than statewide Issues 1 and 2 on reproductive rights and recreational marijuana use, respectively.

An ambulance district and fire district that serve parts of Madison County and Pickaway County both have proposed levies on this November's ballot.

The Sterling Joint Ambulance District, which has stations in Mount Sterling and Midway, has two initiatives on the ballot. Both proposals are five-year, 1.5-mill replacement levies to fund current expenses, each costing property owners $53 for every $100,000 of appraised value.

Voters will also decide on a proposed new tax levy sought by the Tri-County Joint Fire District, also based in Mount Sterling with the joint ambulance district.

The 1.5-mill additional tax levy will help pay for the department's current expenses and operation, including maintaining buildings and equipment as well as its fire alarm communications lines, payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications; for other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or other related costs. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $53 for every $100,000 of appraised value.

Here is a rundown of Madison County communities with contested races among candidates whose names appear on the ballot, and where there are referendums or levy issues before voters:

City of London

Mayor Patrick J. Closser is running for reelection against challenger Thomas Boyd. Closser was first elected to office in 2015 and ran unopposed for a second term in 2019.

Residents of London's Fourth Ward will also be deciding their next city council member. Erick Clark and Shannon M. Treynor are running to fill the seat currently held by Council member Bryan Robinson.

London residents will also decide whether or not to approve a new 0.25% municipal income tax levy.

The levy, which would go into effect on Jan. 1 and last for seven years, would pay for acquiring, constructing, furnishing, equipping, improving, maintaining and repairing municipal fire department facilities, fund general operating expenses of the fire department, and pay for any expenses and debt service charges in connection with those expenses.

Last November, London voters shot down a proposal to increase municipal income tax by 0.4% to support a new police department and fund the fire and EMS operations. It was the second time residents voted against such a proposal.

Currently, London’s income tax rate is 1.5%, according to the city's tax department. Approval of the levy request would raise the city's income tax to 1.75%.

Village of Midway

Midway voters will decide whether to approve a five-year, 3-mill renewal levy to fund current expenses. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $76 for every $100,000 of appraised value, beginning in 2024.

Village of Mount Sterling

Three candidates are running to replace Marci Darlington as mayor of Mount Sterling. They are: Andrew Drake, Jeff Martin and Billy Martin.

Four candidates are running for two seats on Mount Sterling's village council. Incumbents David Timmons and Joyce Phillips are being challenged by Kathi Carson and Jacob E. Keener.

Village of Plain City

Six people are running for three seats on Plain City's village council this November.

Two current council members, Council President James Sintz and Frank Reed, are running to keep their seats. The four other candidates are Tyler F. Harriman, Shane Hoffman, Zachary Robbins and Aaron Lewis.

Village of West Jefferson

West Jefferson voters will decide on a levy renewal request to continue funding the Hurt-Battelle Memorial Library.

The proposed library tax levy is a 1.5-mill renewal levy to fund current expenses for the library. It is the same levy term and millage that village voters have renewed since 2009, according to the library's website.

Revenue generated by the levy represents almost 50% of the Hurt-Battelle Memorial Library's total funding.

In addition to the library tax levy, residents of West Jefferson will also elect a new mayor this November.

West Jefferson Mayor Ray A. Martin is running for reelection against challenger Michael Conway. Martin was first elected to his post in 2016.

Four candidates are running for three available at-large seats on West Jefferson's Village Council. Councilmembers Richard King and Jeff Patterson are both running for another term. The other two candidates are Erica Bogner and Jimmy Little.

Deercreek Township

Two candidates, Misty Bradley and Elizabeth King, are running to replace Erin K. Morris as Deercreek Township's fiscal officer.

Fairfield Township

Two candidates are running for Fairfield Township fiscal officer: Lorie Cafagno and Sheri Winniestaffer.

Jefferson Township

Jeffrey Pfeil is running to keep his seat as a Jefferson Township trustee against opponent Leon Cramer.

Monroe Township

Two open government positions in Monroe Township have no candidates running: a township trustee and township fiscal officer.

Paint Township

Residents of Paint Township will decide whether or not to approve a 0.4-mill renewal levy to maintain and operate cemeteries. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $14 for every $100,000 of appraised value beginning next year.

Range Township

Range Township voters are being asked to approve a 0.6-mill replacement levy to pay salaries, purchase supplies and maintain the Range Township Volunteer Fire Department for five years. The levy would, if approved, cost property owners $21 for every $100,000 of appraised value.

Voters also will decide on a 0.8-mill renewal tax levy to fund current township expenses. If approved, it would cost property owners $26 for every $100,000 of appraised value.

Stokes Township

Tiphany Kennedy-Chaffin and Chrisynda Long are competing for Stokes Township fiscal officer.

Stokes Township voters will also decide on a five-year, 0.3-mill renewal levy for maintaining and operating township cemeteries beginning in 2024. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $11 for every $100,000 of appraised value.

Somerford Township

Marty Ditello is challenging Somerford Township Trustee Jim Moran in his bid for reelection.

Township Fiscal Officer Amanda Knowles is also facing opposition from Randy Boyce to keep her position.

Where can I see what is on my ballot in Madison County?

Registered voters in Madison County can see what will be on their ballots in the Nov. 7 general election by going to this website and entering their name information: https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/madison/vtrlookup.aspx.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 10. Early voting via absentee ballot and in-person begins Oct. 11. For more information, visit the Madison County Board of Elections website at: https://www.boe.ohio.gov/madison/.

shendrix@dispatch.com

@sheridan120

gtucker@gannett.com

@tucker0527

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What’s on the Nov. 7 general election ballot in Madison County?