Voter guide 2023: Three Portage County communities have replacement levies on the ballot

Voters in Randolph, Hiram Township and Sugar Bush Knolls will see replacement levies on their ballots this election.

With certain exceptions, a replacement levy must be for the same purpose as the existing levy, and may be for the same, lower or increased tax rate. Since replacement levies are based on current property valuations, though, they almost always represent a tax increase, Randolph Fiscal Officer Mary Rodenbucher said.

Randolph

Issue 13: Replacement and increase tax levy, EMS, 3 mills for five years commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025. The county auditor estimates the levy would generate $442,000 annually, which amounts to $105 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.

Learn about how the auditor determines tax rates.

The levy replaces a 2-mill fire/EMS levy township voters approved in November 2018.

Proceeds from Issue 13 would be used for fire department wages and benefits and for supplies needed to operate the fire station. With three full-time and 37 part-time employees, the station is currently staffed around the clock, and a paramedic is on each service call, Rodenbucher said.

Having a full-time and part-time employee on station at all times means response times are quicker than they would be if the township relied on volunteers responding from their homes, she said.

Voter approval will allow the township to maintain the current level of service, though it will not cover increasing staffing or services.

“For many years, the township has worked on a shoestring budget,” Rodenbucher said. “What we’re finding out now is that we can no longer do that.”

In order to retain staff and remain in line with surrounding departments, Randolph has had to pay its staff more, she said, adding that the increased cost of needed supplies to outfit the station, EMTs and firefighters has also hit the township pocketbook.

Randolph township officials hope that voters will keep in mind that a 1.58-mill bond issue the township issued in 2019 to fund Randolph’s new fire station addition expires at the end of 2023. That bond issue costs voters $196 for each $100,000 of valuation.

Thinking of it that way, property owners’ tax assessments will actually decrease even if they approve Issue 13, Rodenbucher said.

Should Issue 13 fail, voters can expect to see it again during March 2024 balloting.

Hiram Township

Issue 10: Replacement tax levy, roads and bridges, 2 mills for five years commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024. The county auditor estimates the levy would generate $172,000 annually, which amounts to $70 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.

The levy replaces a 2-mill road and bridge levy township voters approved in November 2017.

Issue 11: Replacement tax levy, fire and EMS, 2 mills for five years commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024. The county auditor estimates the levy would generate $172,000 annually, which amounts to $70 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.

The levy replaces a 2-mill fire/EMS levy township voters approved in November 2017.

Sugar Bush Knolls

Issue 34: Replacement tax levy, current expenses, 8 mills for five years commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025. The county auditor estimates the levy would generate $80,000 annually, which amounts to $280 for each 100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.

The levy replaces an 8-mill levy voters passed in November 2019.