DARKE COUNTY – Though the presidential race is at the top of voters’ minds, some Darke County voters will find an issue on their March 15 primary ballot that involves matters much closer to home. Gettysburg Village, Adams Township, Butler Township, Versailles School District, Arcanum, Greenville and Northmont City School District voters will be asked for their financial support on local concerns from emergency services to cemetery maintenance.
Gettysburg Village
– Issue 1 is a proposed 3-mill additional tax levy on property owners for a continuing period of time to provide ambulance and emergency medical services in the village of Gettysburg. The tax would commence in 2016 with first collection in 2017.
Adams Township
-Issue 2 is a proposed 3-mill additional tax levy on property owners for a five-year period for fire and emergency medical services in Adams Township, excluding the corporations. The tax would commence in 2016 with first collection in 2017.
Butler Township
-Issue 3 is a proposed renewal of a 0.35-mill property tax to provide upkeep, maintenance and operating funds for the Butler Township cemeteries. The levy brings in about $11,000 annually, and the renewal would keep it in place for a contining period of time to cover such costs as the contracting of mowing and tree trimming in the township’s seven cemeteries. The tax would commence in 2016, and collection would begin in 2017.
Arcanum Public Library
-Issue 4 is a proposed 1-mill levy renewal to cover current expenses for the Arcanum Public Library. The renewal, if passed, would keep the 1-mill property tax in place for a continuing period of time. The tax would commence in 2016 and first come due in 2017.
Greenville Public Library
-Issue 5 is a 1-mill property tax renewal levy for current operating expenses for the Greenville Public Library. The continuing levy would commence in 2016 and first come due in 2017. the levy first passed in 2011 and enabled the library to return to a 60-hour week and expand its offering of products and services. It also has enabled the library to conduct regular programs for the community and offer special events, such as the popular “Lunch on the Lawn.”
Versailles Exempted Village School District
-Issue 7 is a proposed 1 percent annual income tax renewal on the school district income of individuals and estates. The levy renewal has a period of four years, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and covers current expenses for the district. The renewal keeps the tax at the same level as the last four years. According to Superintendant Aaron Moran, it will provide about $1.875 million for the school and covers virtually all operating expenses.
Overlap: Northmont City School District
-Issue 6 will appear on the ballots of Darke County residents living in the area of the Northmont City School District that overlaps from Montgomery County. The proposed additional property tax levy is for 5.9 mills for a period of five years, commencing in 2016 and first due in 2017.
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Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for the March 15 primary election must be received by the board of elections by noon March 12. Absentee ballots returned in person or by a method other than U.S. Mail must be received by the board of elections by close of polls on March 15.
Absentee ballots delivered by U.S. Main must be postmarked no later than March 14 and must be received by the board of elections by March 25 in order to be counted.
Poll hours on March 15 are from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
