Levy Heads for November Ballot

Strongsville voters will see a replacement levy for general city expenses on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The 1.4-mill issue will replace a 1.5-mill levy that was first approved in 1976. 
Because it is a replacement rather than a renewal, it will be collected at the most recent property valuations.

Finance Director Joe Dubovec said the issue currently generates about $500,000 a year. If approved as a replacement, it would collect around $2 million a year.

"We need money for roads. Some of our buildings need new roofs. We've got salt trucks that are 25 years old," Dubovec said.

In addition, city officials are talking about setting aside $100,000 a year to add sidewalks to some main roads. 

Dubovec estimates the levy, which now costs the owner of a $100,000 house about $8.90 a year, would cost that same resident $43 a year. 

It is the only general operating levy Strongsville collects. In Westlake -- a city often used as a comparison to Strongsville because it, too, has a rare AAA bond rating -- voters pay 6.6 mills for general city operations.

City Council agreed last week to send the issue to the ballot.