The Village of New Concord held a public question and answer forum during the October Village Council meeting on Oct. 10. The forum was regarding three ballot issues being brought to voters on Nov. 7, with early voting already in progress.
The items are the municipal income tax increase, energy aggregation, and the proposed East Muskingum School District levies.
“…we wanted to get information to New Concord residents so they understand what is on the ballot and also be available to hear questions and get any additional information that might be necessary so that voters can make an informed choice,” said New Concord Mayor Jennifer Lyle.
Colleen Heacock began questions about what the projected gains for the village would be with the proposed municipal income tax increase from 1.5% to 2.25%.
The village fiscal officer, Lynn Marlatt, listed the projected gains over the next four years at around $350,000 each year and said those gains would allow the village to continue the service currently offered by the village.
“…what I can tell you is that we would be we would not be able to meet our 2024 budget, it would not balance,” Lyle said, after being asked what would happen if the increase did not pass.
If the 2024 budget isn’t met, Lyle said the village would no longer be able to have 24/7 police or fire EMS services. Road repairs would also take longer to accomplish due to the cost of materials.
“…I didn’t realize the village was in that dire straits, and I can probably speak for a good portion of the village when I saying ‘we didn’t know…,’” said local resident Mary Schlacks.
The second item discussed was gas and electric aggregation which brings a group of buyers together to get better deals. The proposed aggregator is Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC).
“…we’ve been getting anywhere from like 41% to 44% savings against the standard service offer in the past three communities that we’ve purchased for…,” said SOPEC Southeast Ohio Community Liaison Erin Stevens, when talking about electricity specifically.
The final portion of the forum involved the proposed East Muskingum School district levies. East Muskingum’s Board of Education member Matt Abbot and Superintendent Dave Adams were present to answer questions.
The first is a renewal of an emergency operating levy that first passed in 1993. The second is a new emergency operating levy of 1.3 mills to replace one that expires in December which is 1.7 mills.
“Our school board was very intentional, that we did not want to raise taxes for any of our village residents,” said Adams.
East Muskingum School District had a levy renewal and increase on the ballot in the May election, which did not pass. As a result, the district needed to make $750,000 in personnel cuts.
To achieve that, the district eliminated four teaching positions, two administrative positions, one elementary guidance counselor position, one technology staff position, and one position for elementary librarian.
To learn more about the East Muskingum School District levy ballot issue visit emlevy.com. For more information about the municipal tax increase and the electric and gas aggregate ballot issues, visit newconcord-oh.gov.
Listen to the October New Concord Village Council meeting on WMCO Sundays and Wednesdays at noon and Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10 p.m.
