COSHOCTON − A commissioners race and two county-wide renewal levies highlight the fall general election ballot for Coshocton County.
Aug. 5 was the deadline to file for the Nov. 3 general election for issues and questions. Here is a quick look at the fall ballot. All levy dollar amounts are from the Coshocton County Auditor’s Office.
Commissioner race
The only competitive race on the fall general election ballot for the local level is for county commissioner. Republican Chuck Ellis is facing write-in candidate Rick Conkle.
The winner will replace Gary Fischer, who chose not to seek re-election. The term runs four years from 2027 to 2031. Seats held by Dane Shryock and Bob Bigrigg are up in 2028.
Ellis won the Republican primary over Dean Hettinger and Chuck Selders. He retired earlier this year as the president and owner of Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno.
Conkle served one term as commissioner from 2020 to 2024 and chose not to seek re-election at that time. Conkle retired from the Coshocton County Engineer’s Office in 2008 and was a trustee for 19 years for Jackson Township.
Library levy
The Coshocton County District Library is seeking renewal of a 0.5-mills levy for five years for current expenses that is estimated to generate $400,237 per year and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $12 annually.
In May, director Jennifer Austin said the levy is responsible for about 20% of the library’s revenue. About 75% comes from public library funds and the rest from miscellaneous fees, like patrons paying for photocopies.
She said with cuts to state and federal funding, losing the levy would have a detrimental affect to staffing, hours of operation and the library’s digital and traditional collections. How much would need to be determined, but Austin said cuts would occur.
The library system has 36 employees and a monthly operating budget from $125,000 to $200,000. Along with the main library, it also operates a bookmobile and branch in West Lafayette.
EMS levy
Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services is seeking renewal of a 3-mills levy for five years for operations and maintenance. It’s estimated to generate approximately $2.1 million annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $62 a year.
An original 2-mill levy passed in 2008 with a 1-mill additional approved by voters in 2012. The agency has two separate 1-mill levies approved in 2018 and 2024. All are for operations and are up for renewal every five years.
In June, now retired director Todd Shroyer said if the renewal failed operations would be cut in half with two of four crews being removed from the road. The agency has 55 employees, including office staff and part-time employees. The annual budget is approximately $5.3 million.
Other levies
● Jackson Township is seeking renewal of a 2.5-mills levy for five years for fire protection services, benefiting the Jackson Township Fire Department. It’s estimated to generate $80,738 annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $44 a year.
● The Three Rivers Fire District is seeking a renewal levy for five years of 2-mills for fire protection. It’s estimated to generate $156,298 a year and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $32 a year. The fire company covers Keene, Millcreek and Tuscarawas townships and has stations on Cedar Street and Ohio 621.
● Clark Township is seeking a new levy for 1.0-mills for five years for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges. It’s estimated to generate $18,641 a year and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $35 a year.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Commissioner contest, key levies shape Coshocton County’s November ballot
Reporting by Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune / Coshocton Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune | USA TODAY Network
