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Leaders of local governments and public school districts in the Mahoning Valley are to be applauded for accurately reading the room of their 2026 electorate. That keen perception is clearly evident in the relative dearth of additional tax levies those leaders have deigned to place on this fall's general election ballots.
Of nearly 40 issues up for a vote this cycle in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, only six seek new money from taxpayers. The electorate in Mahoning County will face a meager four additional operating levies, while only two such issues are on Trumbull ballots. Of those six, five would expire after five years, and only one would take effect permanently without voter approval for their continuation.
The downward trend, of course, is not limited to the Valley. Throughout Ohio, widespread voter pushback, newly passed laws to relieve property owners of out-of-control tax increases and momentum toward axing property taxes altogether have made many local government and school leaders gunshy to request additional levies.
The wisdom of such reluctance played out in the most recent May 2026 primary statewide, when only 24% of additional tax levies gained voter approval, according to the Ohio School Boards Association.
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, public school boards and social service agencies 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.
As illustrated by last spring's school levy results, it also comes at a time when more and more tax levies do not gain automatic, no-questions-asked approval from a complacent electorate. In May, even 25% of school operating renewal levies with no tax hikes attached were deep-sixed by skeptical voters.
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 sometimes 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.
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 on Mahoning County ballots this fall include those for:
● The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which is seeking passage of a five-year 2.4-mill levy to combat its skyrocketing operating costs that have increased in recent years from $60 million annually to $100 million annually.
● Boardman Township safety services. Trustees in the Valley's largest suburban community have placed a 2.75-mill, five-year additional levy for police and fire services. Leaders note the township has not gained new property tax revenue from voters since 2011.
● Canfield schools, which seek a 5.9-mill, five-year additional levy to help offset potential deficit spending and to avert laying off up to 50 employees.
Renewal levies in the county include those for Boardman, Poland and Lowellville schools, police services in Canfield and Poland as well as one for parks and the senior center in Austintown.
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 results of those decisions in even-numbered election years in which state and federal candidates draw a much more robust voter turnout.
Issues that may well define the future trajectory of a community or school district clearly deserve as much or more thoughtful consideration as decisions on who will occupy the governor's mansion, the U.S. House chamber or even the White House.
That's why we strongly urge eligible voters throughout the Valley to carve out sufficient time to study the levy requests fully, carefully and objectively before visiting their board of elections to vote early or their poll site to vote on Nov. 3. Those sponsoring the tax initiatives are obliged as well to be transparent, accurate and accountable in explaining the perceived need for the levies.
Only when fully informed can voters cast aside knee-jerk reactions and make wise and responsible decisions that may very well impact the future livelihoods of their communities and school systems.