DELAWARE — Galena voters rejected a levy supporting the village’s day-to-day operations, according to final, unofficial totals from the Delaware County Board of Elections.
The issue received 541 votes against, or 60.58%, and 352 votes in favor, or 39.42%.
All 180 Delaware County precincts reported results on election night. The totals remain unofficial until the Board of Elections completes its official count and certifies the election.
Before the election, Mayor Jeff Kinnell said the levy supports village staffing and operations through the general fund.
He noted village leaders had also discussed using some of the funding for safety and accessibility improvements, including making buildings compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and addressing speeds on Harrison and Walnut streets.
The village also hoped to establish a fund for dedicated policing services.
If voters rejected the levy, Kinnell said, Galena would have less funding available for those improvements.
BST&G Joint Fire District
Voters approved a five-year fire levy that renews 4.85 mills and adds 2.5 mills, with 5,447 votes in favor, or 60.83%, and 3,507 against, or 39.17%, according to final, unofficial totals from the Delaware County Board of Elections.
The Berkshire Township, Sunbury, Trenton Township and Galena Joint Fire District, known as BST&G, relies primarily on property taxes to cover day-to-day operations. The combined 7.35-mill levy is estimated to generate about $6.07 million annually, Chief Christopher Kovach previously told Sunbury City Council.
The district plans to use most of the funding for staffing at Station 352, including retaining six firefighters whose positions are supported by grant funding.
“We don’t want to get to a point where we’d have to temporarily close the facility, they call that browning out a station,” Kovach previously told council.
The funding could also support vehicle replacement, more competitive compensation and preparations for a third station as the district grows.
Orange Township
Voters approved two separate five-year levies supporting roads and parks.
The additional 1-mill road levy passed with 9,050 votes in favor, or 52.49%, and 8,193 against, or 47.51%.
Although it appeared on the ballot as an additional levy, the proposal will replace two existing 0.5-mill road levies set to expire at the end of 2027, township Communications Manager Sydney Herbert said before the election.
The new levy will cost property owners $35 annually for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value and generate an estimated $2,279,352 annually.
The township’s 1-mill parks and recreation renewal passed with 9,986 votes in favor, or 57.82%, and 7,285 against, or 42.18%.
The renewal supports the township’s seven parks, North Orange Aquatic Center and approximately 21 miles of shared-use paths, Herbert said.
The levy will generate an estimated $1,372,814 annually, with a listed annual cost of $20 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s market value.
Berlin Township
Voters renewed a five-year levy supporting fire protection and emergency medical services, with 4,000 votes in favor, or 66.30%, and 2,033 against, or 33.70%.
The 2.95-mill levy supports fire department staffing, equipment and ongoing operations, Fire Chief Brian Taylor said before the election.
It will generate an estimated $1,409,427 annually, with a listed annual cost of $103 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s market value.
Concord Township
Voters renewed a five-year road and bridge levy, with 4,572 votes in favor, or 65.04%, and 2,457 against, or 34.96%.
The 1-mill levy supports snow removal, pavement improvements and drainage maintenance, Township Trustee Bart Johnson said before the election.
It will generate an estimated $325,427 annually, with a listed annual cost of $11 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s market value.
Harlem Township
Voters renewed a four-year fire and emergency medical services levy, with 1,623 votes in favor, or 66.03%, and 835 against, or 33.97%.
The 4-mill levy supports staffing, emergency vehicles, equipment, training, facilities and other operating costs, Township Administrator John Pritchard said before the election.
It will generate an estimated $956,658 annually, with a listed annual cost of $97 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s market value.
Oxford Township
Voters renewed a five-year road and bridge levy, with 298 votes in favor, or 66.37%, and 151 against, or 33.63%.
The 1.2-mill levy supports chip sealing, resurfacing and preventive maintenance, Township Trustee Steve Lewis said before the election.
It will generate an estimated $44,807 annually, with a listed annual cost of $30 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s market value.
