The Washington County Public Library main branch is shown at 615 Fifth St. in Marietta. The library has a wide range of services available to the community. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA — Two county-wide replacement levies and one renewal will be on the ballot Nov. 4, with early voting starting Tuesday.

The first proposed replacement tax levy supports the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities for the operation and maintenance of the main building on 1701 Colegate Drive. It will also continue and expand services and programs offered by the board.

The levy proposes the county auditor will collect $7,027,000 annually at a rate not exceeding 3.6 mills for each $1 of taxable value. This amounts to $126 for each $100,000 of the appraised value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2025 and first due in 2026.

“The replacement tax levy is different from the continuing (renewal) tax levy, so a continuing tax levy is one fixed amount every time it’s passed,” said Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling. “A replacement tax levy is going to provide tax value on the current valuations of the property taxes.”

The levy proposes an additional $60.90 per year for a home valued at $100,000 according to WCBDD Director Tiffany Neill. The current levy, which was approved in 2003, only generates revenue equivalent to outdated property values. The board hasn’t requested additional funding in 22 years and levy dollars represent 67% of its total funding.

The Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ replacement levy will appear on the general election ballot. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The 3.6-mill continuing levy was originally passed in 1989. Although the rate is the same, the amount collected is based on those earlier property values. Since property values have increased, the amount collected will increase if the replacement levy is passed.

Commissioners approved a resolution on July 10 to place the replacement levy on the ballot for the general election.

Schilling said the levy would generate enough funds for the board to continue services, operations, maintenance and more. If the levy doesn’t pass, the board would have to reevaluate its funding.

The Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves over 700 individuals by providing services like employment, administration, early intervention, family support and more.

The second proposed replacement levy is for the benefit of senior citizen services and facilities in the county. The auditor estimates it will collect $1,659,000 annually at a rate not exceeding 0.85 mills for each $1 of taxable value. It amounts to $30 for each $100,000 of the appraised value for five years, beginning in 2026 and first due in the calendar year 2027.

A sign promoting a yes vote for the senior services replacement levy in Washington County located along Colegate Drive in Marietta. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“A replacement brings the values up to the current valuation and that provides more resources for the entity,” said Schilling.

In 2020, the senior services levy was renewed with an effective of $18 for each $100,000 of the appraised value, according to the county Auditor Matthew Livengood. Based on current valuations, the replacement on the 2025 ballot increased by $12 for each $100,000 of the appraised value.

The senior services replacement levy was approved by the commissioners on Aug. 21 to be on the ballot.

Like with the Developmental Disabilities levy, the millage and rates remain the same but are based on past valuations. If the replacement levy is approved, the amount collected will increase because of updated property values.

The renewal levy for the Washington County Public Library would benefit the current expenses of the library. The public library provides a selection of books, movies, magazines, and more as well as a wide range of services like classes and events.

The levy would continue to collect $506,000 annually at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value. It amounts to $35 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value for a period of five years commencing in 2025 and is first due in 2026.

The renewal levy for the public library will maintain the same millage, rates, and amount it has been collecting.

Visit www.boe.ohio.gov/washington for more information on early voting, voting hours, locations, ballot information and more.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com.