St. Marys voters OK levy renewal

ST. MARYS - Almost two-thirds of voters approved the renewal of St. Marys City Schools' 5.92-mill emergency levy that will collect $1.8 million annually over five years.

The levy will continue to cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $207 per year, according to information from school district treasurer Robin Laman.

The property tax was first passed in March 2004 and helps fund day-to-day operations such as staff salaries. It was renewed in 2009 and again in 2014. Superintendent Bill Ruane noted before the election that if the levy were not renewed, a 12.5% homestead rollback on the tax paid by the state would have been lost. The district would not have been able to get the rollback if the levy had failed and they'd later sought a new levy.

According to the unofficial canvass, 1,150 people, or 63.15%, voted in favor of the levy, while 671 people, or 36.85%, voted against it.

Ruane said he was very appreciative and grateful to residents for passing the levy.

"It was a big year for the school and the community," he said, noting the district had asked the taxpayers to approve two levies in the span of a year.

In November, voters approved a 1% earned-income tax levy with more than 55% voting in support of the issue.

It also turned out to be a big year for academic and other successes, Ruane said, and he thanked the community for its continued support of the district.