Ottawa County: Levy issues on Nov. 5 ballot

News Editor
news@presspublications.com
A levy request for an additional 1.8 mills on the Nov. 5 ballot in the Village of Genoa will, if passed, be used to fund the reconstruction of bridges.
Thomas Bergman, village administrator, said the Washington Street and W. 9th Street bridges have been given ratings of “4”, or poor, condition by inspectors of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Both are due for replacement and have been placed on a special solicitation list that ODOT compiles.
“It means ODOT is strongly suggesting that the entity apply for grant help to reconstruct or rehabilitate the bridges,” Bergman said. “The village has applied for ODOT funding via the Municipal Bridge Program. We will know if we received funding for one, both, or neither of the bridges in late November. The revenue from this levy is to be set aside specifically for the local portion of the work on these two bridges. If we have remaining funds it would be set aside for the Wilson Street and Cherry Street bridges, which are both currently rated as a “6”, or fair.”
Preliminary schedules set the replacement of the Washington Street and W. 9th Street bridges at 2027 or 2028, depending on ODOT assistance.
“It is my understanding that Ottawa County intends to replace the Main Street bridge around the same time. Additionally, the Ottawa County Park District will be constructing a bridge for the North Coast Inland Trail in 2026 or 2027 at the site of the old railroad bridge. So there is going to be a lot of bridge work in Genoa in the next few years. It will be crucial to get funding and work together with our partners to stagger the bridge reconstructions so we can maintain access north and south of Packer Creek,” Bergman said.
Many comparable sized villages in the area have no municipal bridges.
“This is an infrastructure liability that is rather unique to Genoa,” he said.
Voters in Genoa will see that the ballot language says the millage is for streets. The levy would be in effect for five years if passed.
In Elmore, voters will see two levies on the ballot: a 3-mill renewal levy that funds street and alley maintenance and a 3-mill additional levy that will be used for police operations, parks and green spaces, and other village-owned lands and buildings.
Both levies will be in effect for five years.
Dave Hower, village administrator, said the additional millage will generate about $88,000 per year.
He said it will be the first request for additional millage for operations since 2005.
The Village of Oak Harbor is also seeking additional millage: 3.9 mills for parks and recreation. If passed, the levy would be in effect for five years.
Other issues on the ballot in Ottawa County are:
-Clay Township (excluding Genoa); a 4.3-mill replacement levy for police operations. If passed, the levy will be based on current property valuations. The levy is continuing.
-Harris Township; a 1-mill, 5-year renewal levy for operating expenses.
-Harris Elmore Library; a 1.1-mill, 5-year renewal levy for operating expenses.
-Village of Marblehead: an additional 2-mill, 5-year levy for police purposes.
-Mid County Joint Ambulance District; an additional 3-mill levy for Emergency Medical Service and a 2-mill renewal levy for EMS. Both are 5-year levies.
-EHOVE Joint Vocational School District; bonds issued. 2.2 mills.
-Mental Health and Recovery Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wyandot counties; 0.5-mill, 5-year levy renewal for mental health programs.
-Ottawa County; 0.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy for senior citizen services.
-Put in Bay Township; 3-mill, 5-year renewal levy for maintaining a refuse site on Middle Bass Island.
-Put in Bay Township; 4.8 mills, 5-year renewal levy for road maintenance in unincorporated areas.
-Put in Bay Township; 0.25-mill, 5-year renewal levy for the physician’s house.
-Put in Bay Township; 1.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy for current expenses.
-Put in Bay Township Park District; additional 1-mill, 10-year levy for parks.