Milton-Union’s levy success on 4th attempt among Miami County election results

Voters in the Milton-Union school district had rejected multiple previous funding requests.
Milton-Union Exempted Village School District is seeking an annual income tax of 0.75 percent for five years for the purpose of current expenses. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF

Credit: Bryant Billing

Credit: Bryant Billing

Milton-Union Exempted Village School District is seeking an annual income tax of 0.75 percent for five years for the purpose of current expenses. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF

TROY — In their fourth attempt to pass a levy since 2023, the Milton-Union schools succeeded, according to unofficial results Tuesday from the Miami County Board of Elections.

The request for a five-year, additional 0.75% earned income tax for five years for the Union Twp. school was approved by a 54.4 to 45.6 percent ratio.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, teachers, classified staff members, administrators, and most of all, our students, we are sincerely grateful for the support of the Milton-Union community. We are committed to following through and implementing the district’s long-term financial plan,” said district Superintendent Brad Ritchey. “To everyone who supported the effort over the past several weeks by distributing information, displaying signs, walking neighborhoods and practicing resiliency, we cannot thank you enough.”

The cost of the earned income tax for a family with $50,000 in taxable income would be $375 a year. Voters turned down previous funding requests for school operations via a property tax in 2023 and earned income taxes in spring and fall 2024.

The Milton-Union voting precincts were the busiest in the county, said Laura Bruns, county elections director. Voter turnout was listed on the unofficial results posting at just more than 29 percent.

The Troy-Miami County Public Library also was successful in a bid for additional money. Library leaders were hoping voters would support a five-year, 1-mill tax to help bridge a state funding gap, said Rachelle Via, library director. This was the library’s first request for a tax increase in 12 years. The additional levy amounts to $35 annually per $100,000 of property value per the county auditor. It will provide the library with $1,696,000 a year in funding.

Those in the Troy, Miami East, Newton and Bethel school districts voted on the library request.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for knowledge, community and the future by supporting the library levy. Your vote will help keep doors open, story times and programs happening and important books and resources available for all,” Via said.

In Newberry Twp.,a replacement levy that would generate $367,000 a year was approved by a 68.94 percent to 31.06 percent ratio. Taxpayers now paying $99.74 on a $100,000 home value, will pay $122.50 for the replacement levy.

In other school districts, Bethel, Troy and Tipp City voters all approved renewal levies. The Bethel income tax renewal was approved 64.7 percent to 35.3 percent, while Troy’s property tax renewal succeeded by a 56.3 to 43.7 percent ratio and voters in Tipp City authorized a property tax renewal by a 55.8 to 44.2 percent ratio.

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