COLUMBUS, Ohio — Westerville, Hilliard schools and several other districts across central Ohio will have levies and bonds on the ballot this Nov. 5. There are also several community bonds and levies up for a vote.
The levies and bonds on the ballot would help continue and/or provide additional funding for standard operations, expansions, improvements and more.
Here's a breakdown of some levies or bonds you may see on your ballot.
*For a complete list of bonds and levies you'll see on your ballot in Franklin County, click here.
School levies
The proposal calls for an initial 5 mill tax, followed by annual increases of 2.5 mills in years two through five, spanning from 2025-2029, according to the district. The proposed levy would fund daily, current operational expenses and maintain current academic offerings and student services.
As the buildings in the district near capacity, leaders have put a 4.46 mill bond levy on the ballot to provide funding for a new high school and other district projects. The district is seeking a $100 million bond issue. The projected levy is estimated to cost a Buckeye Valley homeowner $156 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value.
The Board of Education voted to place a $69.5 million bond issue on the ballot, which would go toward the construction of a new Stevenson Elementary School and improvements to the district's K-12 athletic complex. According to the district, the proposed project would be approximately 6.95 mills, equal to $243 per $100,000 of property valuation annually.
The proposed bond issue would provide the district with $78.3 million to construct, improve, furnish and equip three new middle schools and an addition to Groveport Madison High School if passed. The cost to homeowners whose house has an appraised value of $100,000 would be 23.4 cents per day.
The 6.9 mill operating levy would generate funds for the day-to-day management of the district, like staffing, utilities and supplies. The bond issue would authorize the school district to issue $142 million in funding to replace and build three elementary schools, an additional preschool center, adding a third building for sixth graders and district-wide safety upgrades.
The district aims to secure funding through a bond issue to construct a new K-8 building. The district is requesting 4.3 mills, which equates to $151 per $100,000 of the council auditor's appraised value.
Voters in Marysville can expect to see a 5.5 mill emergency levy on the ballot on Election Day. Superintendent Diane Allen and the district’s treasurer, Todd Johnson said it would generate around $6.4 million annually, and allow the district to sustain its operations in the next five years. Read more about the levy here.
The 4.46-mill bond issue would fund projects in the district's Campus Master Plan. If passed, the levy would bring in $135 million to address current capacity, increasing enrollment and the needs of students.
Voters in Reynoldsburg will vote on a 6.65 mill emergency levy placed on the ballot by school leaders.
District leaders say it began deficit spending in fiscal year 2023, meaning the district was spending more money than it brought in. Dr. Tracy Reed, superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools, said the district is putting the levy on the ballot because ESSER funds are running out for essential programs.
The levy will cost $233 per year per $100,000 of property value. For example, if your home costs $300,000, you’ll pay almost $700 a year.
The money would be used for constructing school facilities and renovating, improving and constructing additions to buildings. The ballot measure does not specify what schools would be improved. The ballot measure states that the bonds would be up to $140 million that would be repaid annually over a maximum of 37 years.
The measure also includes two levies. One of them, a 1.66 mill levy, would amount to $58 for each $100,000 of the appraised value. It would help pay the annual debt charges on the bonds. The second levy, 4.9 mills, would pay for current operating expenses, according to the ballot measure. It would cost Westerville residents $172 for each $100,000 of the appraised value. Read more on the bond, tax levies here.
Other bonds/levies on the ballot
Central Ohio Transit Authority
COTA will have a levy on the ballot that will be an $8 billion investment in transit throughout central Ohio. The levy is a sales tax initiative. If it passes, it will increase the sales tax in Columbus from 7.5% to 8%. Then COTA would receive 1% of that sales tax. Currently, it receives .5%. You can read more about the levy here.
Genoa Township
Roads and bridges levy
Voters in Genoa Township will be voting on a couple of levies in the upcoming election. One is the roads and bridges levy, which is brought to voters every five years. Voters will consider a replacement and decrease of the levy at a rate of 1.89 mills, which amounts to $66 per year for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value. This allows for maintenance and repairs to be done to the roads.
Fire levy
Also on the ballot will be a fire and EMS levy. Voters will decide whether or not to approve a continuous levy at a rate of 7.0 mills, amounting to $245 for each $100,000 valuation. This will go toward funding increases in operating expenses for the fire department.
Plain Township
Plain Township Fire Chief Patrick Connor said his department needs to replace a fire engine, which will cost $1 million. They are asking for a levy, which would mean an additional $105 per $100,000 of home value. Connor said it would be the lowest levy in Franklin County. Read more on the levy here.