The Licking County Board of Elections has certified candidates and issues that voters will decide on the Nov. 3 ballot, including some that would ban big data centers.
Some of the notable races involve Mary McLeish (D), of Newark, and Mark Van Buren (R), of Hebron, who seek to succeed Rick Black as a Licking County Commissioner. Another involves Robert Essex (D), of Granville, and Richard Wright (R, incumbent), of Glenford, in the Licking County Common Pleas Judge Domestic Relations race.
One of the issues is a charter amendment to ban data centers of more than 25 megawatts in Pataskala. Organizers collected enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot.
Organizers in Granville also expect to vote on banning large data centers there. They expect the Granville City Council will vote Aug. 19 to request the board place the issue on the ballot. Heath organizers plan to submit their petition at an Aug 17 meeting, and city council there would likely need an emergency ordinance to make a similar request to the board.
Municipalities have until Sept. 4 to ask the board to place charter amendments on the ballot. There are organizers in Johnstown and Newark collecting signatures, but it’s unclear if they’ll make the deadline.
The only countywide issue is a renewal of a .375-mill property tax for five years to support the Licking Park District’s parks, trails, programs and other activities. If renewed by voters, property owners would pay $10 per $100,000 of the county auditor’s assessed market value.
Other notable issues include Southwest Licking School District seeking to replace an existing 0.75% income tax with a 2% tax on earned income for people living in the school district. The district is also seeking a 35-year, 2.87-mill bond issue to help support construction of facilities while renovating and repairing others. If approved by voters, the bond issue wold cost property owners $100 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s assessed market value.
There are multiple municipalities seeking property tax renewals, including Buckeye Lake and Hanover villages and Granville, Bowling Green, Eden, Washington and Mary Ann townships.
It’s possible some write-in candidates will join the races, including for county commissioner. Write-in candidates have until Aug. 24 to file.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County ballot certified, more data center amendments expected
Reporting by Josué Perez, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Josué Perez, Newark Advocate | USA TODAY Network
