Keeping polling places sterile
Poll workers and election officials did their best to keep voters safe on Election Day. Hand sanitizer was placed at a variety of spots throughout each polling location. Additionally, each voter was given their own stylus to use to use as they voted. Machines and other areas that were touched were cleaned regularly through the day. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
On its third attempt, Jerome Township voters have passed a fire levy.
Jerome Township Division of Fire Chief Douglas Stewart said he is feeling “fantastic” following the success of the levy.
Voters passed a renewal of the 2011 2.9 mills levy with an additional 2.9 mills fire and EMS operations levy. The renewal levy is not a new tax and will continue to collect at its current rate of 2.09 mills.
The additional 2.9 mills levy will result in an increased rate of approximately $100 per $100,000 of home market value annually.
According to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections, the measure passed by a slim margin of approximately 52% in favor, or 2,514 votes for the levy compared to 2,299 against it.
“We’re very happy and appreciative of the residents who stepped up and supported the levy and hope we can continue to earn the votes of those who voted against it,” Stewart said this morning.
He said the funds generated by the levy will be directed mainly toward personnel costs.
The Jerome Township Division of Fire depends on funding from the SAFER Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to keep nine of its firefighters.
The SAFER Grant funds 75% of those firefighters’ salaries and benefits through the first two years of funding – 2020 and 2021. In the third year, it decreases to 35%.
Stewart said the “timing will be kind of nice” because collections for the levy begin in 2022.
As grant funding decreases, he said the levy funding will supplement it.
If there are additional monies left after sustaining the SAFER-funded positions, Stewart said the fire department will also hire back some of the part-time positions that have been cut recently.
In the future, Stewart said the department is planning for the creation of a second fire station in Jerome Village. He noted that the creation of the department is “fully funded” by the developer, Nationwide Realty.
“We can start planning ahead and go from there,” Stewart said.
He said residents “might see movement in the near future” regarding the second station, but it would likely be planning of just the architecture.
At this point, he said there is not adequate funding to staff two fire stations but it is a goal the department will “keep working toward.”
Stewart said the department will continue to be fiscally responsible in its operations as it works toward obtaining funding for a second station. He said they will continue to seek grant funding and sources of revenue aside from local residents.
A variety of other issues, including fire/EMS and school levies, were passed throughout the county. According to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections:
– Darby Township residents supported the renewal of a five-year, 1.65 mills levy to pay for fire services and a public safety officer. The levy will not add any additional taxes for property owners.
The owner of a $100,000 home will continue to pay $46.14 a year. The levy is estimated to generate $123,405 annually.
Approximately 74% of voters supported the renewal, or 1,108 voters compared to 388 who opposed the levy.
– Voters in Paris Township were also in support of renewing a three-year, 5.9 mill five levy. Property owners will not pay any additional taxes as a result of the renewal.
The owner of a $100,000 home will continue to pay $172.69 a year. The levy is estimated to generate $62,379 annually.
Approximately 71% of voters were in favor of the levy, or 713 people compared to 291 who casted their ballots against it.
– Union Township voters, including those in Milford Center, supported the renewal of a five-year, 5.5 mills fire levy. The levy is not new money and will not result in additional taxes.
More than 73% of ballots were cast in support of the levy. The levy passed with 686 votes in support and 249 votes against.
The owner of a $100,000 home will continue to pay $157.04 a year. The levy is estimated to generate $287,391 annually.
– The renewal of a five-year, 1 mills fire levy in Liberty Township was withdrawn from the ballot. Representatives from the Board of Trustees could not be reached at press time to comment on the reasoning for the withdrawal.
– Voters in the Fairbanks School District approved the renewal of a 0.25% income tax for district residents for another five years. Money from the levy will be used for permanent improvements in the district.
Over 60% of ballots were cast in support of the levy, or 2,371 voters in support compared to 1,567 of voters against.
Superintendent Adham Schirg said the levy has been renewed several times since it was passed in 2006.
It collects about $2.50 for $1,000 of income for district residents, generating about $520,000 annually.
Schirg said the funding has been used to replace the middle school roof, purchase buses, create technology infrastructure and repair floors.
He said the “passage shows the commitment of our community to our schools,” adding that “we have a deep history of caring for and supporting each other.”
– Voters in the North Union School District also supported the renewal of a 20-year, 2.95 mills emergency requirements levy. District officials said the millage is reduced to collect a flat funding rate of about $680,000 per year for the operation of buildings.
The measure passed by a closer margin than other school levies on the ballot, with about 56% of voters in support and 44% of those against. 2,160 ballots were cast in favor of the levy and 1,730 were opposed.
Officials said the money has been used for hiring teachers; athletic facilities and programs; expansion of arts programming and curriculum; purchasing textbooks; bus replacement; expanded opportunities for students to earn credentials as part of career technical programs; and hiring teachers and staff.
– Voters throughout the county passed a five-year, 3.8 mills levy to fund operations at the Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The levy is a renewal, meaning it adds no additional tax dollars.
The owner of a $100,000 home will continue to pay $71.92 a year. The levy will generate an estimated $4,527,811 annually.
Nearly 66% of voters supported the levy. Those who voted for it almost doubled those who voted against – 20,828 for the levy compared to 10,927 against it.
UCDD stressed the organization serves 838 clients – from newborns to seniors – marking a 27% increase in participants over the last four years.
Officials say the budget funds early intervention for babies and toddlers; job assistance for adults with disabilities; the Harold Lewis Center Special Needs Preschool; speech, occupational and physical therapy; in-home residential support; and Special Olympics.
– Voters in Jerome Township Precinct 2 supported a pair of liquor options for Brewery 1487, including Sunday sales. Both issues passed with more than 75% of voters in favor.
– A pair of liquor options, including Sunday sales, was also approved for Parkway Drive-Thru by voters in Allen Township Precinct 2. Both measures passed by similar margins, with more than 75% of ballots cast in support.