City schools, MHDAS, Logan County sales tax levies receive voter approval
Logan County voters provided their approval of a variety of levies that appeared on Tuesday’s ballot, including the Logan County sales tax renewal for roads, bridges and safety; Bellefontaine City Schools’ substitute emergency levy; and the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties’ replacement levy.
The city school’s issue received 1,394 votes for the levy and 967 votes against, according to unofficial totals.
It replaces an existing emergency levy that was originally passed in 2007. It will generate $1.185 million per year for operating expenses on a continuing basis.
Superintendent Brad Hall said he was very excited and pleased with the Election Day results.
“While many hours were dedicated by numerous volunteers to get the word out about our need for this levy, in the end, it was the residents of Bellefontaine who voted for their schools, their community, and the bright future of their students once again.
“This is an important result for the Bellefontaine City School District and for that we are very thankful. We will continue to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars just as we have in the past. It’s another great day to be a Chieftain.”
Board of education members also expressed appreciation to the community for their continued strong support of the district.
“Voters in the Bellefontaine School District have a long history of supporting their schools and that support was demonstrated again on Election Day. The district will continue to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars just as we have in the past and our students will continue to have tremendous opportunities. Again, on behalf of the board and staff, thank you so much for your support.”
The MHDAS Board of Logan and Champaign Counties garnered overwhelming voter support of its 0.7-mill, five-year replacement levy in both counties.
In Logan County, 4,790 votes were cast for the levy and 2,801 votes against the issue, according to unofficial totals. For Champaign County, the ballot issue received 455 votes for the levy and 311 against the issue.
The news came as a big sigh of relief for MHDAS Executive Director Tammy Nicholl Tuesday evening. The replacement levy continues funding that has been in place since 1988. With current property valuations considered, it would generate an additional $300,000 per year added to the $600,000 generated by the current levy, or a total of approximately $900,000 per year for operations.
“I think having that confidence and knowing we can maintain our services will be so helpful for us moving forward,” she said. “It is so important that we can maintain our budget, and this also gives us a little room to grow our services and continue to look for new avenues in grant funding.
“I want to express our great appreciation to the voters for their support. I think it’s just so encouraging to feel this message that people care about one another. We are a better community when all of us are well.
“I appreciate their confidence in us and holding us accountable to be good stewards of the levy funding.”
Nicholl said the MHDAS levy committee, board members, staff and providers all put in tremendous efforts to ensure that the agency’s message was reflected in the community and that the need for the continuing levy funds was explained.
“My staff has been so awesome, working extra hours and explaining that vital role that the levy plays in our budget,” she said. “Our levy committee did an exceptional job in making sure our message was out there. Our board does an excellent job at holding us accountable and ensuring that we’re effectively serving our community.
“Our providers have been so wonderful throughout the pandemic, continuing to serve every day and helping those experiencing a crisis.”
Voters also offered their support of the Logan County 0.5 percent renewal sales tax for roads, bridges and safety, which continues a levy that has been in place since 1997. A total of 5,150 votes were cast for the levy and 2,463 votes against the issue, according to unofficial results.
The levy enabled the county to effectively and efficiently maintain its local highway system, Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman previously said.
Since 1997, more than $51 million has been invested in county and township roads and bridges, and 157 bridges have been rehabbed or replaced. Also since 2007, $7.1 million has been received for village and Bellefontaine roads and bridges.
New for the renewal levy, 25 percent of the funds will go to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office for various capital improvements.
The rest of the funding is appropriated as follows: 25 percent for county roads and bridges; 20 percent for township roads and bridges; 20 percent for municipal roads and bridges; and 10 percent for land use/economic development.