Stark Library Levy Narrowly Passes
(WHBC) – The Stark County District Library had better luck at the polls in Tuesday’s primary than they did back in November.
Voters on Tuesday approved a 2-mill eight-year operating levy.
In November, voters rejected a slightly bigger levy.
The unofficial results have the levy passing by a 2 percent margin; 51 to 49 percent.
13,321 people voted for it and 12,716 against it.
Executive Director Mary Ellen Icaza says passage of the levy will allow them to modernize buildings, update infrastructure and technology and offer more services and programs.
She says, heading up to the primary, they worked really hard to get the word out about just how many essential services they provide to the community.
“The outreach that we provide to senior citizens, the work that we do with early literacy and helping get kids ready for kindergarten, the services and programs we provide for jobs and workforce development,” were among a few of the many she mentioned.
She also says they have the largest bookmobile service in the state, visiting every school and senior center in Stark County.
The library’s current levy will expire at the end of this year.
Had voters not approved the new levy, the Stark County District Library says it would have had to make difficult decisions like cutting services, hours and offerings.
The levy voters approved on Tuesday will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $70 a year, which is an increase of about $26.50 from what they’re paying for the current levy.
Here are the unofficial Stark County results:
May Primary 2019 Issues that passed:
Stark County District Library levy
Stark County Mental Health levy
Jackson Township Police District levy
Perry Township Police District renewal levy
Jackson Local Schools levy
Village of Navarre income tax increase
Village of Waynesburg road levy
Village of Brewster income tax increase
City of Canal Fulton income tax increase
May Primary 2019 Issues that failed:
Plain Township Parks levy
Lake Township Parks levy
Perry Township Road levy
Village of Hartville income tax increase
Sandy Creek Joint Fire District levy
Tuslaw Local Schools levy
Perry Township Police Renewal and Increase
May Primary 2019 Races:
City of Canton President of Council Democratic Primary
William Sherer II defeated Joe Martuccio
City of Canton Ward 2
Nate Chester III defeated Lois Ellis
City of Massillon Ward 1 Republican
Mark Lombardi defeated Sarita Cunningham
Get the specifics on all the results here.
