Six renewal levies are on the May 2 ballot

Communities are asking voters to continue levels of services by passing renewal levies May 2 in Lorain County.

Renewal issues in the primary and special election include:

• Amherst City 1.0-mill fire levy

Amherst voters will consider a 1.0-mill, five-year renewal levy for the fire department which has been on the books for about 30 years.

The levy generates $282,638 a year, and will cost $29.09 annually per $100,000 of property value, according to information provided by Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass.

The levy allows the city to provide and maintain fire apparatus, appliances, buildings and sites, said Mayor Mark Costilow.

• Kipton Village 2.0-mill permanent improvement levy for sewers

The levy will create $3,307 per year and would cost $27.66 annually per $100,000 of property value, according to the Lorain County Auditor.

• Sheffield Village 1.75mill fire and EMS levy

Sheffield Village will be asking voters to renew a levy to allow the city to upgrade equipment replacing two aging fire trucks with brand new units. Mayor John Hunter said the new units are replacing fire trucks which are 11 and 17 years old.

One of the units will be a rescue truck and the other vehicle will be a lighter unit to account for the large amount of fire hydrants in the village. Hunter said in the design they are prioritizing vehicles which will carry about 500 gallons of water in line with the needs of the Fire Department. The levy also includes funding for the purchase of upgraded safety equipment to help protect firefighters.

Hunter said the public support for the initiative has been very positive and the village has had four meetings over the past two years on the issue with no opposition from council. If approved, the levy would cost $53.42 annually per $100,000 of property value and is expected to bring in $280,928 in revenue per year, according to the county Auditor’s Office.

• Sheffield Township 1.0mill street lights levy and 1.0-mill current expenses levy

Sheffield Township has two renewal levies on the ballot. The first will provide $1 million to support electricity expenses for street lights and is expected to generate $28,101 per year and will cost an estimated $15.94 annually per $100,000 property valuation, according to the county Auditor.

The second renewal levy for current expenses will support the township’s general fund and will generate $18,201 per year and cost an estimated $8.25 annually per $100,000 of property valuation

• Amherst School District 4.9-mill current expenses levy

Amherst School District included a 4.9-mill, fiveyear renewal levy for current expenses on the ballot as a way to continue strong financial health of the district.

In November, voters approved a bond issue that would not increase the amount paid each year in order to build a new preschool through grade three building. The bond issue provided for a consolidation of buildings that saves $500,000 a year in operating expenses.

The renewal levy May 2 ensures continued strength while not increasing taxes, said Amherst Schools Superintendent Steve Sayers.

The levy would cost $148.87 annually per $100,000 of property valuation, and raise almost $2.7 million a year, according to the county Auditor’s Office.

Communities are asking voters to continue levels of services by passing renewal levies May 2 in Lorain County.