Olmsted Falls residents to decide Election Day levy renewals

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio - Voters in Olmsted Falls will be deciding three familiar levy renewals on Election Day.

"These are renewals, they are not tax increases," Olmsted Falls Mayor James Graven said.

"These are also outside millage, meaning any new property tax reevaluations do not result in more taxes being collected."

The city's issues are related to two expiring five-year levies regarding the parks & recreation department (Issue 30) and the fire department (Issue 31).

As for Issue 30, if passed the parks & rec levy will cost a $100,000 homeowner $14 a year and bring in $123,000 annually.

The 1.0-mill parks & rec renewal levy, which dates back to 1989, is earmarked to cover maintenance and the purchase of playground equipment.

The entire department's annual budget is $267,867.

"The parks levy is used to maintain our seven different parks and splash pad," he said.

"I know the citizens appreciate the fact our service department does a good job in keeping the parks looking nice."

If approved, Issue 31 will cost a $100,000 homeowner $10 annually and bring in $111,000, which contributes to the fire department's $1.23 million annual budget.

The 2.0-mill fire department renewal levy dates back to 1976 and covers fire and emergency rescue equipment expenditures, water supply material purchases and firefighter salaries.

"Our fire department provides a great service," he said. "The fire levy is used for both equipment and salaries.

"Full protective gear for a firefighter, approximately $5,000, can get pretty expensive. We just need these to maintain our current level of services that we provide."

Also this November, residents will decide Issue 29, which is a 1-mill tax renewal that supports Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights.

The five-year levy - which collects $55,000 annually - costs the owner of a $100,000 home $5 annually.

"We're just a conduit," he said. "I know our citizens appreciate the topnotch service they get, so I'm confident that (the levy renewals) will pass.

"But we don't take anything for granted. It's very important, we hope it passes, but it's up to the taxpayers."