Officials in the Village of Woodville say they’ll look first to enacting spending cuts in the police department if a 7.4-mill property tax levy on Tuesday’s ballot isn’t renewed.

The levy generates about $332,519 annually and is the major source of funds for the village’s general fund, according to Barb Runion, village clerk-treasurer, and costs the owner of a home with an appraised value of $100,000 about $259 a year.

Mayor Richard Harman and village council opted to seek a renewal - rather than a replacement issue, which would be based on current property valuations and cost residents more in taxes - because residents are already paying higher utility fees for a major sewer separation project, she said.

“We’re going to be stressing it’s just a renewal and not an increase,” Runion said. “We figured a renewal would relieve some of the pressure on residents for the sewer separation and the other tax issues that will be on the ballot.”

Even with passage, village officials anticipate there will be spending cuts, with many falling on the police department budget that accounts for about half of the village’s general fund.

The administration had been considering purchasing two new vehicles for the department but that may be dropped or only one vehicle may be purchased.

Other village operations covered by the general fund include street improvements, parks and recreation department, and upkeep of the town hall building.

Runion said the village is also bracing for a cut in local government funds from the state, which will result in reductions to the general fund budget.

In 2010, Woodville received about $108,254 in local government funds. A 25 percent cut – about $27,063 – would be a tough hit to sustain, she said, particularly when another 25 percent cut in the following fiscal year has been proposed.

Woodville Township residents will see a renewal request on the ballot for a 0.5-mill, 5-year levy for maintaining the township cemetery.

Voters throughout Sandusky County will decide four county-wide issues:

•The Birchard Public Library is asking for an additional 1-mill for 5 years for operating expenses.

•The Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking the replacement of a 2-mill, 5-year property tax levy.

•The Sandusky County 911 service is seeking replacement of a 0.3-mill, 5-year levy for equipment and operating expenses.

•A 0.5-mill, 5-year levy for senior citizen services and facilities is up for replacement.

Primary races will also be on the ballot in some municipalities.

Locally, Incumbent Gibsonburg Mayor Ed Herman, Jr., is uncontested in the Democratic primary. Greg Gerwin is unopposed in the village’s Republican primary.

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