A renewal police levy in Mad River Twp. also passed, securing about 69% of the vote, according to unofficial election results posted by the Clark County Board of Elections.
Voters in the village of Mechanicsburg in Champaign County approved the renewal of a levy that would help cover fire department services as it passed with nearly 58% of the vote
However, a levy for additional money for EMS in the Johnson St. Paris Joint Fire District in Champaign County failed as over 68% of the vote went against it, according to unofficial voting results shared by the Champaign County Board of Elections.
In addition to those levies, local liquor options in Enon and Champaign County’s Johnson Twp. were approved by voters.
Bethel Twp. police levy
Bethel Twp. residents voted for the five-year, 1.75 mill levy that will generate revenue to be used for policing.
As of Tuesday night, 1,142 people voted for the levy, while 840 voted against, according to the Clark County Board of Elections.
The levy is expected to cost homeowners with property values of $100,000 roughly $122 per year and is expected to generate $338,196 annually.
The township has paid for a deputy from the sheriff’s office for a number of years, and the cost of paying for the salary, benefits, equipment, a vehicle and other associated costs solely comes from property taxes generated through a police levy, said Bethel Twp. Trustee Nancy Brown.
However, due to a clerical issue, the levy was not renewed and officially ran its course in 2020. An attempt to pass a levy to cover those costs during the November general election failed by a margin of 32 votes, according to the Clark County Board of Elections.
But, with the passing of the levy on Tuesday’s ballot, money generated could also cover the potential costs for a second deputy to serve the area. It could also pay for extra duty officers to cover evening or weekend shifts when the primary deputy is not able to do so, Brown added.
Mad River Twp. police levy
Voters in Mad River Twp. voted for the renewal of a 0.8-mill police levy that will cover costs associated with the transportation, communication and pay of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned full-time to the township.
As of Tuesday night, unofficial voting results showed that 1,180 people voted for the renewal, while 530 voted against.
The Mad River Twp. levy will cost about $28 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home, according to information from the Clark County Auditor’s Office. It is expected to generate $157,000 annually.
Voters first passed the levy in 2017. During Tuesday’s election, only residents of Mad River Twp. living outside the village of Enon could vote on the levy renewal.
Johnson St. Paris Joint Fire District EMS Levy
Those living in the Johnson St. Paris Joint Fire District in Champaign County have voted against a 4.9 mill property tax levy that would have gone towards EMS expenses.
As of Tuesday night, 469 people voted against the levy to bring additional revenue, while 224 voted for it.
If passed, the tax issue would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home $171.50 per year and generate $415,000 annually for a period of five years, according to the Champaign County Auditor’s Office.
Money generated from the levy would have gone towards providing and maintaining emergency apparatus, related equipment needed for those services and other EMS expenses.
Mechanicsburg fire levy
Those living in the village of Mechanicsburg voted to renew a 4 mill property tax levy that currently generates $75,600 annually for fire and EMS.
The levy passed, according to unofficial election results, with 101 people voting for it, while 74 voted against.
The levy will remain for a period of five years before needing to be renewed again. It costs those who own a $100,000 home $98.55 per year, according to the Champaign County Auditor’s office.
The levy provides funding to help provide and maintain fire apparatus, equipment and other related expenses, according to paperwork filed with the local board of elections.
Option for liquor sales
A portion of Enon residents have been asked to vote on a local liquor option for a newly opened gastropub called The Last Queen, located at 210 E. Main St.
The liquor permit would allow for the sell of beer, mixed drinks and liquor between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight on Sundays.
It passed with about 72% of the vote, constituting 218 people, while 84 voted against it.
Those in Johnson Twp., were asked to approve the sale of spirituous liquor for Geena’s Junction, 12013 W. U.S. Highway 36. They were also asked to vote on the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages for the same business.
Both passed on Tuesday, garnering about 60% and 56% of the vote respectively.
