Mahoning Valley voters focusing on local races and issues this fall may well be surprised by what they do not see on their general election ballots: a multitude of appeals from local governments and school districts pleading for increased operating revenue.

In Mahoning County, for example, only 18 tax issues will confront voters. That’s the fewest number countywide since 2019. Of those, only five school systems or local governments seek additional property tax revenue. The vast majority are renewals of existing tax rates.

A similar paucity of additional tax levies appears on Trumbull County ballots. Of 28 issues countywide, a mere four are additional or replacement levies that would generate more tax dollars.

Statewide, the shrinkage in tax appeals come Election Day plays out as well. In March, for example, only 90 school tax issues appeared on Ohio ballots, compared with 167 in November 2023.

The relative scarcity of such issues this election cycle continues a pleasing trend in our region and state of fewer and fewer city councils, township trustee boards and public school boards seeking ballot access to ask their benefactors to open their wallets just a little bit wider for a bigger slice of the property tax or income tax pie.

It also comes at a time when more and more tax levies do not gain automatic, no-questions-asked approval from a complacent electorate. Many have been deep-sixed by skeptical voters.

For example, in the March 2024 primary elections in Ohio, only 17% of 37 requests by school boards for additional levies won voter approval, and many renewal levies even fell to defeat, according to the Ohio School Boards Association.

It appears then as if many school districts and local governments have gotten the message that taxpayers are holding public officials increasingly more accountable to run a tight financial ship, and many of those officials are responding by working more carefully to live within their means before launching campaigns for more local revenue.

But when they do – and oftentimes valid arguments can be made for additional revenue based on local circumstances – they must make their case clearly, concretely and transparently to voters. Voters, in turn, should make judgments of support or rejection fairly and responsibly as well.

This year the task for public bodies to justify any-sized raise from taxpayers has grown all the more difficult considering that property values for many landowners have gone up markedly in the newest round of revaluations throughout the Valley.

Clearly, responsible voters will have their work cut out for them in weighing the pros and cons of the impact of levy passage on their pocketbooks and their community’s or school district’s quality. Among the more prominent issues this fall include those in:

• AUSTINTOWN: A 2.4-mill additional levy for a continuous period for strengthening the township police department.

• BOARDMAN A 4.5-mill, 5-year additional levy for fire and emergency medical services.

• CANFIELD SCHOOLS: A 3.7-mill, 35-year bond issue to raise $64.19 million. This marks the third time on the ballot for school improvements but this one continues a trend of lower millage and lower total dollar amounts.

• CORTLAND: A 2.5-mill, continuous additional levy for providing and maintaining police protection

• SOUTHINGTON: A 1.9-mills, continuous additional levy for providing and maintaining fire and EMS protection.

• TRUMBULL COUNTY: A 0.75-mills, 5-year replacement levy for providing and maintaining senior citizen services or facilities.

In many respects, the passage or failure of these and other issues will have more direct and immediate impact on local residents’ lives than the result from the crown jewel of Election 2024: the hotly contested and highly contentious presidential race.

Issues that may well define the future trajectory of a community or school district clearly deserve as much or more thoughtful consideration as who will occupy the White House over the next four years. We therefore urge voters to make those decisions wisely and responsibly.

editorial@vindy.com