This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County.
The League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County are non-partisan political organizations that promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and act on selected governmental issues. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. The League is fully committed to ensure compliance—in principle and in practice—with the LWVUS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policy of the League shall be eligible for membership.
The issues are listed with the language appearing on the ballot.
1 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Kent City School District
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. An additional tax for the benefit of the Kent City School District for the purpose of current expenses that the county auditor estimates will collect $8,522,335 annually, at a rate not exceeding 9.8 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $343 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027. The county auditor has certified that the amount by which the carry over balance in the district's general operating budget from the preceding fiscal year exceeds the district's general fund expenditures made in the preceding fiscal year is $0, which is 0% of those expenditures.
2 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Streetsboro City School District
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. An additional tax for the benefit of the Streetsboro City School District for the purpose of current expenses that the county auditor estimates will collect $5,452,878 annually, at a rate not exceeding 7 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $245 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027. The county auditor has certified that the amount by which the carry over balance in the district's general operating budget from the preceding fiscal year exceeds the district's general fund expenditures made in the preceding fiscal year is $0, which is 0% of those expenditures.
3 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Tallmadge City School District Summit and Portage Counties
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. An additional tax for the benefit of the Tallmadge City School District for the purpose of current expenses that the county fiscal officer estimates will collect $3,663,964 annually, at a rate not exceeding 5.6 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $196 for each $100,000 of the county fiscal officer's market value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027. The county fiscal officer has certified that the amount by which the carry-over balance in the district's general operating budget from the preceding fiscal year exceeds the district's general fund expenditures made in the preceding fiscal year is $0, which is 0% of those expenditures.
4 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Reed Memorial Library
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Reed Memorial Library for the purpose of current expenses that the county auditor estimates will collect $489,542 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $28 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
5 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Community Emergency Medical Services District
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. An additional tax for the benefit of the Community Emergency Medical Services District for the purpose of providing ambulance service, emergency medical service, or both that the county auditor estimates will collect $416,309 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $53 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
6 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Portage County
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. An additional tax for the benefit of Portage County for the purpose of providing public assistance, human or social services, including children and adult services, and relief that the county auditor estimates will collect $2,451,896 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.4 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $14 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
7 Proposed Income Tax Ravenna City
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. Shall the Ordinance providing for an additional 0.25% levy on income for 30 years, commencing July 1, 2026, for planning and constructing, furnishing, equipping, and improving building facilities for fire station, police station, and city hall purposes, including all necessary appurtenances thereto for the health, safety, and welfare of the residents, businesses, community members, visitors, and employees in Ravenna City be passed?
8 Local Liquor Option For Particular Location (By Petition) (Sunday Sales) Deerfield Township A
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages and spirituous liquor be permitted for sale on Sunday by MJEJ Enterprises LLC an applicant for a D6 liquor permit who is engaged in the business of a drive thru carry out at 1594 State Route 14, Deerfield, OH 44411 in this precinct?
9 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Palmyra Township
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Palmyra Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings, and sites therefore, or sources of water supply and materials therefore, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm communications, for the payment of fire fighting companies or permanent, part time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under Section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs that the county auditor estimates will collect $117,649 annually, at a rate not exceeding 2 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $36 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
10 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Palmyra Township
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Palmyra Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings, and sites therefore, or sources of water supply and materials therefore, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm communications, for the payment of fire fighting companies or permanent, part time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under Section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs that the county auditor estimates will collect $118,698 annually, at a rate not exceeding 2 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $39 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
11 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Randolph Township
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Randolph Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings, and sites therefore, or sources of water supply and materials therefore, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm communications, for the payment of fire fighting companies or permanent, part time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under Section 145.48 or 742.34 of the Revised Code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs that the county auditor estimates will collect $662,410 annually, at a rate not exceeding 5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $111 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value, for 5 years, commencing in 2026, first due in calendar year 2027.
Submitted