COSHOCTON − The deadline to file for the fall general election ballot with the Coshocton County Board of Elections was Aug. 6.
While the board still has to certify the ballot, there is a pretty good idea as to what races, levies and other items voters will make decisions about on Nov. 4. Deadline to register to vote is Oct. 6 and early voting starts Oct. 7.
Coshocton City Schools bond issue
Coshocton City Schools is taking a second shot at a bond issue to help construct a new middle and high school building. It failed in the spring primary with 890 votes against it and 627 votes for it, per official vote totals from the board of elections. The project has not changed from originally announced.
The principal amount of the bond will be $22.3 million to be paid over 37 years. If passed, the district will collect 5.2 mills for the life of the bond, which is $182 a year for an owner of a $100,000 home.
The total project is estimated at approximately $47 million, with the state share from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission at $25.3 million. Renovations to the old building would mostly fall on the district. It would include saving the audiotiroum, natatorium and gymnasium, which wouldn’t be covered by the state.
Children services levy
The only county-wide levy on the ballot will be a 1-mill property tax levy to support children services with Coshocton County Job and Family Services. It was first passed in 1990 and collects at that tax rate. It generates about $472,000 a year. It costs the owner of a $100,000 home $13 a year.
Money goes toward placement costs of foster children. This includes room and board, food and clothes. It does not go toward wages and benefits for JFS employees. The overall costs for foster care in 2024 was about $2.6 million, up from $1.8 million in 2023.
Other levies
Village of Conesville − 5 mill renewal for current expenses
Village of Nellie − 5 mill additional for current expenses
Village of West Lafayette − 3 mill renewal for current expenses
Oxford Township − 1 mill renewal for fire protection
Jefferson Township − 1.5 mill renewal for road improvements
City and village competitive races
Village and township candidates do not file under a political party.
There are five candidates for four seats available for West Lafayette Council. Christie Maurer is the only incumbent seeking re-election. The other candidates are Johnathan Charles Blevens, Kenneth Koch, Tyler Maple and Jacob Yoho.
There are no competitive races for the City of Coshocton or the villages of Warsaw, Conesville, Plainfield and Nellie.
Township trustees competitive races
There are two seats available for every township. Only competitive races are listed.
Adams Township − Rickey Barger, Jared Hamilton and Randy Landis
Bedford Township − Brian Dobson, Alan Underwood and Dudley Wilson Jr.
Clark Township − Tyrone Myers, Christopher Williamson and Jason Williamson
Franklin Township − Dennis Balo, Gregory Cox Jr., Devin Donley and Andrew Tumblin
Jefferson Township − Jeffrey Fitch, Ronald Geog and Colton Kaser
Lafayette Township − Ryan Cottrell, Michael Gress, Terron Hothem, Christopher Kohman, Mark McCombs Jr. and James Schumaker
Oxford Township − Michelle Carpenter, Travis Hahn and Douglas Patterson
Tuscarawas Township − Destry Guilliams, Charles Selders, Justin Thompson and Donald Wells
Virginia Township − Marc Lacy Jr., Wade Sauerbrey and Thomas Shroyer
Washington Township − Raymond Dotson, David Ferrell and Bruce Stevens
White Eyes Township −Travis Bice, Craig Hunter, John Thomas and Kurt Wyler
School board competitive races
The are two seats available for every school district. Only competive races are listed.
Ridgewood − Alan Folkert, Frank Mathews and Lacey McCombs
River View − Mindy Duncan, Kyleen Landerman, Cord Stottlemire and Charlie Wright
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: What’s on the fall general election ballot for Coshocton County? Here’s an early look
Reporting by Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune / Coshocton Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
