Union County voters to decide renewal of county Board of Developmental Disabilities levy
Union County voters will decide whether or not to renew a 2.4-mill levy for the county Board of Developmental Disabilities on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
Besides that levy and statewide issues related to reproductive rights and marijuana legalization, there are no other races or issues that voters in the county will see on their ballots. There are contested elections for council seats in the city of Marysville and Plain City village, and for trustee seats in several townships.
In addition, voters will decide two levy requests in Paris Township and an initiative to introduce limited home-rule government in Jerome Township.
County Board of Developmental Disabilities levy
The 2.4-mill levy renewal for eight years requested by the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities is expected to generate more than $3.53 million in revenue annually.
The levy was first passed by voters in 1998, said Kara Brown, the board’s superintendent, and provides funding for services to more than 700 adults and children in the agency's case management program, for facility maintenance and other expenses.
If renewed by voters, the majority of the levy funds would go toward immediate maintenance needs at the board’s three Marysville facilities, and cost property owners $42 for every $100,000 of appraised value.
Funds from the levy would also go toward helping run the group’s Harold Lewis Center, which delivers individualized education programming to area preschool students with developmental disabilities, Brown said.
Here is a rundown of issues before voters and contested races among candidates whose names appear on the ballot in Union County communities:
City of Marysville
City Council seats in all four Marysville wards are up for grabs.
In Ward 1, incumbent Aaron J. Carpenter is running unopposed. Steven Wolfe is running a write-in campaign, but his name will not appear on the ballot.
Incumbent Alan Seymour is seeking reelection to his Ward 2 council seat but faces two challengers: Zachary Bordner and John E. Marshall.
Deborah Groat's bid for reelection to the Ward 3 council seat is opposed by Scott A. Hunter, while Ward 4 incumbent Donald Boerger is being opposed by Jay Riley.
The number of contested spots for Marysville City Council often fluctuates by municipal election, said Brandon Clay, director of the Union County Board of Elections. An increase of development in the area may have motivated some candidates to run for a spot in city government this year, he said.
Marysville annexation referendum up in the air
Whether a referendum on Marysville City Council's approval last November of Ordinance 55-22 to annex more than 263 acres of land from Paris Township onto the city's west side for the proposed Stillwater Farms housing development will be voted on the Nov. 7 ballot was currently up in the air as of early Tuesday afternoon.
Because of traffic concerns expressed over the proposed housing development's location just south of the U.S. Route 33/U.S. Route 36/State Route 4/State Route 245/Northwest Parkway interchange, the developer agreed to provide $3 million toward improvements at the intersection in order to obtain the city's support.
After city council approved the annexation last year, a group of local residents presented enough certified petition signatures to have the Union County Board of Elections in April agree to put the annexation issue up for a referendum before voters in November.
In August, there was a protest filed by Richard A. Warner against the residents’ petition, claiming that it was not submitted properly, Union County Board of Elections director Brandon Clay said. The county Board of Elections held a protest hearing in mid-August, ending in a split 2-2 vote on whether the referendum would remain on the ballot.
Clay previously told The Dispatch that the referendum remained on the ballot while Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office decided whether the matter will go before voters.
The referendum was on the federal write-in absentee ballots for Marysville at 100 days and 46 days, and remained on the ballot as recently as Sept. 25.
But a week later, Michelle Forrider, deputy director of the county Board of Elections, told The Dispatch on Monday that the referendum is "currently not on the ballot" and the matter is now before the Ohio Supreme Court for a decision.
Forrider said it's unclear whether or not the issue will go before Marysville voters on the Nov. 7 ballot. Early voting begins Oct. 11.
Village of Plain City
Six candidates are running for two Plain City Village Council seats. Incumbents Frank Reed and James R. Sintz are seeking reelection against challengers Tyler Harriman, Shane Hoffman, Aaron R. Lewis and Zachary Robbins.
Village of Richwood
Voters in Richwood will decide on two levy issues this November.
The first of two levy requests before Richwood voters is a 3-mill renewal levy to fund its parks and recreation department for five years.
The second levy request from the village is for a 3.2-mill renewal levy for operating expenses.
Claibourne Township
Claibourne Township residents will vote on a 1.2-mill renewal levy to maintain its cemeteries for five years.
Darby Township
Voters will decide between incumbent David W. Huston or challenger David Huber for a four-year term on the township board of trustees beginning in January.
Jerome Township
Three candidates — Joe Craft, Aaron Grabovich and William Neumeyer — are running to fill the seat vacated by Megan Sloat as a township trustee. The winner will serve a four-year term beginning in January.
Township residents will also decide whether to approve a limited home-rule government amid debates covered by The Dispatch regarding the township’s autonomy and how development inside its limits is controlled. For more information on limited home-rule townships and how they work, see the Ohio General Assembly's Members Brief published in December 2021.
Paris Township
Voters in Paris Township will decide contested elections for both township trustee and fiscal officer positions, as well as two levy issues.
Incumbent Trustee Tony Eufinger, an attorney and former Marysville city prosecutor, is opposed by Gio Faenza and Tyler Hall in his bid for reelection to a four-year term.
Meanwhile, Lesley Verbus is running against incumbent Ryan J. Lee for a four-year term as the township’s fiscal officer.
The first of two levy requests before Paris Township voters is a 5.9-mill renewal levy to fund, maintain and equip the community's fire and emergency medical services. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $142 per $100,000 of appraised value.
The second levy request from the township is for an additional 0.5-mill levy to fund the township's participation in the Union County Private Safety Officer program and add an additional officer. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $18 for each $100,000 of appraised value.
Taylor Township
Incumbent Trustee C. Scott Weeks will be opposed by Robert J Morey.
Township residents will also vote on a 1-mill renewal levy to fund and maintain its cemeteries for five years.
Union Township
Neal Kise and Robin Burns are challenging incumbent Randy C. Poland's bid for election to another four-year term as township trustee.
Union Township residents will also vote on a 4.6-mill renewal levy to fund fire and emergency medical services for five years.
Washington Township
Incumbent Carol Miller is opposed by Stephanie Ross for a four-year seat on the township board of trustees.
Where can I see what is on my ballot in Union County?
Voters can see what will be on their ballots in the general election by going to the Union County Board of Elections website at https://www.unioncountyohio.gov/board-of-elections, then scroll down to the "What's On My Ballot?" button. Click the button, fill out your address information and your sample general election ballot will be displayed.
Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What’s on the ballot in Union County in the Nov. 7 general election?
