COUNTYWIDE ISSUES – 4, 5, AND 6
ISSUE 4
BALLOT LANGUAGE
PROPOSED TAX LEVY
RENEWAL
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
A renewal of a tax for the benefit of the County of Athens for the purpose of Operation and Maintenance of the Emergency Medical Services at a rate not exceeding 0.5 mill for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.05 for each one hundred dollars valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2009, first due in calendar year 2010.
EXPLANATION
With a renewal levy, the effective millage may be adjusted to keep the tax monies received fairly consistent. A renewal of a tax levy does not result in a tax increase, but simply a continuation of the current tax.
Issue 4 proposes a 5-year renewal of the current levy (which is also at a rate not to exceed 0.5 mill) to fund operation and maintenance of the county Emergency Medical Services. Based on the 2009 effective rate, a residence with a market value of $100,000 (taking into account the 10% property tax reduction) would pay an annual tax of $9.48.
ISSUE 5
BALLOT LANGUAGE
PROPOSED TAX LEVY
REPLACEMENT
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
A replacement of a tax for the benefit of the County of Athens for the purpose of Operation and Maintenance of the Athens City-County Health Department at a rate not exceeding 0.4 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.04 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 10 years, commencing in 2010, first due in calendar year 2010.
EXPLANATION
With a replacement tax levy the property’s valuation changes from the original levy year (in this case Tax Year 2000) to the current year, thereby usually resulting in a tax increase.
Issue 5 proposes a 10-year replacement of the current levy (which is also at a rate not to exceed 0.4 mill), for funding operation and maintenance of the Athens City-County Health Department. At the 0.4 mill rate, the annual tax on a residential property with a market value of $100,000 (taking into account the 10% property tax reduction) would be $12.60.
ISSUE 6
BALLOT LANGUAGE
PROPOSED TAX LEVY -
ADDITIONAL
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
An additional tax for the benefit of the County of Athens for the purpose of Providing Senior Citizens Services and Facilities at a rate not exceeding 0.25 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.025 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2009, first due in calendar year 2010.
EXPLANATION
This issue proposes a new countywide levy of 0.25 mil or 25 cents for each thousand dollars of property valuation. Due to budget cuts some seniors either have been dropped from or not accepted into the Meals on Wheels program. The purpose of the levy is to provide funding for food distribution to senior citizens through Meals on Wheels and county senior citizen programs.
Proponents argue:
The food programs operated by Community Action have been stretched beyond capacity. Just recently 25 senior citizens who had been receiving meals through Meals on Wheels had to be dropped from the program due to cuts in the Title XX program. Alternate arrangements were made for some, but the Meals on Wheels waiting list then increased to over 40 seniors.
If approved by the voters, this levy will generate approximately $200,000 to allow Community Action to cover costs of providing meals for existing clients, reduce the waiting list, and provide additional support at the two congregate meal sites (in Athens and Glouster). In addition to nutritionally balanced meals, through this service, a caring person visits and checks on seniors in their homes three times per week. The meal sites also offer vital information, socializing opportunities and activities. These are critical services for senior citizens.
The projected cost for a property with a market value of
$100,000 is just $7.88 per year and the homestead exemption is applicable for
senior citizens. All proceeds from the
levy will provide food for senior citizens in
Although the ballot language is stated in more general terms, the levy is intended to support providing food for senior citizens who are not able to provide their own meals. It will reduce the meals waiting list, support and expand the volunteer delivery network, and increase the services at county dining sites.
Opponents argue:
This is a new levy. Even though it is small, it will increase property taxes at a time when many people are suffering financially.