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Tuesday, May 6, is Ohio primary election day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bluffton voters vote in the Bluffton elementary multi-purpose room.

The election has several partisan races. In addition, there is:
• one state issue,
• a mental health and recovery services board levy and
• a Bluffton tax levy renewal.

Here is a summary of the mental health levy:

Since 2008 the board has lost over $3 million in revenue. In that same period an opiate epidemic, tragedies in schools and mental illness prevention needs have increased dramatically.

Since 2008 the board has allocated up to $1 million per year in “emergency funds” to maintain vital prevention and treatment services. By 2016 these funds will be depleted.

With the 1.0 mill levy, the cost per average homeowner is $30 per year.

This levy serves residents of Allen, Hardin and Auglaize counties. The number of persons served includes:

• Mental health: 14,289 persons
• Alcohol and other drugs: 2,313 persons
• Total served: 16,603 persons

Here is a summary of the Bluffton school levy:

   · The levy was originally passed in November, 1999, at 4.9 mills generating $466,000.
   · As the valuation of the district increased, the millage amount decreased and was most recently renewed at 3.44 mills in 2009; the district is currently collecting $466,000 on this levy.

· The proposed levy will be on the ballot May 6, 2014, to be renewed back to the original 4.9  mills generating $714,392.
· This is not a new tax; it is a renewal plus an increase in millage back to 4.9 mills that was voted on in 1999.
 
· The first collection of the renewal would begin in calendar year 2015.
· Over the last four years the state has cut funding to our district for a total of more than $1.2 million.
  
· The district has absorbed 8 teachers and 4 bus drivers due to this reduced state funding.
· The most recent fiscal year data (2012) shows our district spends $2,200 less per student than state average.

· The millage rate was reduced from 4.9 mills in 1999 to 3.44 mills in 2009.  A “yes” vote would return the millage to the 4.9 rate of 1999.
• The additional cost of this levy (to 4.9 mills) for a $100,000 home is less than a $1 more per week.
 
Money from the levy is placed in the general fund to be used for operating expenses.
These funds allow our school system to continue its legacy of excellence.

In fiscal year 2007, we spent $8,307 per pupil to educate our students. In fiscal year 2012, which is the most recent date that statewide comparison expenditure statistics are available, we spent $8,308.19 per student to educate each child. This is $2,200+ less than the state average of $10,597.21 per student statewide.

Liberty-Benton is one of the 20 most similar districts to us in the state, and their expenditure per pupil in 2012 was $9,017.78; their performance index was 102.8, compared to our district’s performance index of 107.4.

As noted above, our district performs among the highest levels in the state for much less money on average.

This levy is critical for the on-going financial stability of our district. As good stewards of your tax money, we have made cuts over the past 6 years to stay off the ballot for any new operating money for as long as possible.

These cuts include the following: four fewer bus drivers, a change from two bus routes to one K-12 route, and we absorbed eight teachers through attrition.

It would be very difficult to cut staffing any further without a major impact to our students and school district.  We will continue to look for ways to save money with as little impact to our students as possible.  These strides have been made possible because of a supportive community, excellent students, and a dedicated staff that work together for the betterment of our schools.

Here is a summary of State Issue One:

The amendment authorizes the State of Ohio to issue general obligation bonds to pay for or help local governments pay for public infrastructure capital improvements. Projects would be limited to roads and bridges, waste water treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, and storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities, including real property or interests in real property, facilities and equipment related or incidental thereto, and the cost of acquisition, construction, reconstruction, expansion, improvement, planning and equipping.

The Ohio Constitution currently contains a provision authorizing the State of Ohio to issue bonds to finance public infrastructure capital improvements for local governments through the State Capital Improvements Program. This proposed constitutional amendment would reauthorize the issuance of those bonds.

The proposed amendment limits bond issuance to $1.875 billion over a ten-year period, with no more than $175 million in each of the first five fiscal years and no more than $200 million in each of the next five fiscal years. Any principal amount that could have been issued in a prior fiscal year, but was not issued, may subsequently be issued.

No general obligations for public infrastructure capital improvements may be issued under this amendment until the existing authority to issue state infrastructure bonds under Article VIII, Section 2p of the Ohio Constitution has been exhausted. These general obligations must mature no later than thirty (30) years after their date of issuance, and any refunding obligations must mature no later than the permitted maturity date for the obligations being refunded.

This amendment also authorizes the General Assembly to pass laws providing for its implementation. The laws must establish a procedure for incurring and issuing obligations and provide for the use of Ohio products, materials, services, and labor to the extent possible in any project financed, in whole or in part, under the section.

If approved, the amendment would take effect immediately.