Portage County Engineer: Vote yes on Issue 2

Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.

We’re less than a week away from the vote on Issue 2 — coming up on May 6 — which will decide the continued funding for the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC). This program has played a major role in improving infrastructure here in Portage County.

Thanks to OPWC, Portage County communities have received over $100 million in grant funding and nearly $20 million in low-interest loans over the life of the program. This has helped complete more than 550 critical infrastructure projects across our county—things like roads, bridges, culverts, sanitary sewers, waterlines, and stormwater systems in all of our townships, villages, and cities.

This office fully supports continuing this important program. But to keep it going, we need to vote “YES” on this constitutional amendment that has already been previously renewed by voters three times. First approved in 1987 with a 70% passage rate, then with subsequent renewals in 1995, 2005, and 2014, it is now time again to pass this critical amendment. The new ten-year cycle will continue the OPWC program and allow up to $250 million a year statewide to be invested in local infrastructure improvements.

Issue 2 does not increase existing taxes or create new ones. It relies on bonds which are paid off with existing state revenue. Another important aspect of the OPWC program is that it’s a state and local government partnership with funding decisions made by representatives of Portage County—then administered by local officials.

Please consider these reasons for supporting Issue 2 on May 6.

— Larry D. Jenkins Jr., P.E., P.S., Portage County Engineer