Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Genoa school board plans to return to the ballot in 2025 in an attempt to renew an emergency levy that fell in defeat last month – the first time a renewal issue was rejected in the district.
The board Tuesday approved a resolution of necessity to place the levy request on the ballot. A second required resolution is expected to be on the board’s agenda for its Jan. 9, 2025 meeting, Bill Nye, district treasurer, said.
The board plans to place the levy on the May 2025 ballot.
Voters in the school district originally approved the levy in 2015 as an emergency measure – one that is designed to generate a specific dollar amount rather than collect on a specific millage amount.
It was renewed in 2020. If passed in May it will be in effect as a continuing levy.
The levy generates about $1.2 million annually and is used to fund district operations.
“The board felt the levy is engrained in our everyday budget. It makes up just under 9 percent of our general fund budget. If we had to make adjustments from not having it they would be fairly significant in scope,” Nye said, referring to the board decision to go for renewal as a continuing levy rather than another five years.
The levy fell in November by 422 votes; 2,049-for to 2,471-against.
Voters rejected the levy in all precincts except Clay 1 where it eked out a one-vote win; 305 – for to 304 – against. The precinct covers the southwest portion of the Village of Genoa and a part of Clay Township near the intersection of State Rt. 163 and Washington Street.
Other precinct results were:
-Clay 4 313-for to 434-against
-Clay 3 267-for to 350-against
-Clay 2 217 for to 270-against
-Allen 2 331-for to 425-against
-Allen 3 262-for to 298-against
-Allen 4 354-for to 390-against
