School levy

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Although there is no regular election, there are three other issues on ballots, including a rezoning referendum in Wayne Twp.

The other two issues are in school districts, some of which lie in another county: a continuing 7.5-mill replacement levy in Bellbrook-Sugarcreek and 5-year, 0.5 percent income tax increase in Clinton-Massie.

Cole Proeschel, a fourth-generation farmer with a 265-acre farm, said he opposed a property tax increase, because it was hardest on owners of larger properties, often farmers.

“If they would just stop asking for a property tax levy, if they would just ask for something more incomebased, I’d be right on board,” Proeschel said Monday.

In response, Sellers said, “Taxpayers paid for their education, and now it’s our turn to make sure future farmers and generations are well educated.”

Proeschel suggested there wouldn’t be any future farmers in fast-growing Warren County.

The election is three weeks away, but voters have already begun casting their ballots at the Board of Elections office in Lebanon in early voting.

On Monday afternoon, 221 ballots had already been recorded, according to the Warren County Board of Elections.

None will be counted until election night.

The school district recently sent home a community update, including a message and letter from Superintendent Todd Yohey urging voters to support the levy and projecting the added cost for homeowners at 50 cents a day.

The school levy political action committee reported more than $31,261 in campaign funds heading into 2019, compared to $305 for Citizens for Responsible Spending, the anti-levy group.

Levy supporters point to 2011 as the last time voters were asked to approve new money for the district.

In November 2011, the school levy passed by 1.2 percentage points, or 251 votes, according to the election records.