Voters rejected a levy aimed at boosting road operations and repaving efforts in Perry Township.
Perry officials were seeking approval of a five-year, 2.9-mill road levy in the May 5 primary election — the township’s fifth try for new money since spring of 2024. Issue 15 would have generated about $2.7 million per year from property taxes.
The levy failed by a count of 3,480 to 2,036, or 63% to 37%, according to unofficial results by the Stark County Board of Elections office.
“It’s very disappointing,” said Trustee Ralph DeChiara Jr. “We have to respect what the voters are telling us. But our roads won’t get any better without funding.”
Passing the levy would have allowed Perry to pave up to 20 miles of roads annually, and help to implement a regular paving schedule. That won’t happen anytime soon, DeChiara said.
“We’re really gong to have to scale back, as costs (for fuel, asphalt, materials and equipement) continue to rise,” he said.
The levy would have cost a homeowner $102 a year for every $100,000 of their property’s tax valuation.
Perry’s lone existing 2-mill road levy — in which collections expire at the end of 2026 — generates a little more than $700,000 a year in revenue for the Perry Road Department.
In 2024, a 1-mill road levy that brought in about $550,000 annually expired, further reducing available funds for road operations, equipment and materials.
Other Stark County issues decided in May 5 primary election
In Massillon, a five-year, 0.2% income tax measure to continue supporting street repairs and improvements was successful.
Issue 5 passed by a score of 2,466 to 1,685, or 59% to 41%, according to unofficial numbers posted by the Stark BOE.
Mayor Jamie Slutz said early May 6 that he was thankful to voters who showed up to support the levy.
“Your vote is an investment in safer streets, stronger infrastructure and a better future for our community,” the mayor said.
City Councilwoman Holly Bryan-Huth said on the night of May 5 she was ecstatic by the election result.
“Continuing to maintain and repair our roads is a non-negotiable to keep us moving,” she said.
Levy revenue is dedicated toward road resurfacing projects and to help pay for city Street Department equipment and materials.
Overall, the levy generates around $1.5 million per year. Collection will start in January 2027 and run through December 2031.
Issue 8, which is a 1% income tax increase — to 2% — in Brewster, passed with 179 votes to 113, or 61% to 39%, according final, unofficial Stark BOE numbers.
Levy revenue will help fund multiple village services, such as police and fire. They include 0.5% for fire and emergency medical services; 0.3% for road maintenance and construction and 0.2% for police.
The new income tax sets a permanent rate for what’s collected in the village for fire, police and road services, replacing temporary or expiring tax measures.
There is no term, or years, attached to the Brewster levy, because the question asked voters to abolish the current tax rate, and replace it with a new one. Collection is to commence in 2027.
Plain Township asked voters for a 1-mill renewal levy for parks and recreation. Voters gave the measure a thumbs-up with 4,882 in favor and 3,333 against, or 59% to 41%.
A Plain homeowner will continue to pay $22.23 annually for every $100,000 in property valuation. The levy garners approximately $943,000 per year for the township.
The levy will run for five years starting in July.
In Hills & Dales village, electors were asked to consider Issue 6, a 5-mill additional police levy that’s expected to generate approximately $130,500 annually.
The measure passed with 79 votes in favor to 38 against, or 68% to 32%, according to the Stark BOE.
A homeowner is in line to pay another $175 per year for every $100,000 on their property’s county valuation starting next year.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Perry Twp. trustee says ‘roads won’t get any better without funding.’
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Repository
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