Wood County voters OK senior services levy

Wood County voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved both a replacement and additional tax levy that benefits the Wood County Committee on Aging. Voters who live in Bloomdale and Hoytville also approved levy renewals, while North Baltimore residents rejected a proposed municipal income tax increase. According to unofficial results from the Wood County Board of Elections, a 0.7-mill tax renewal, along with a 0.3-mill increase for the Wood County Committee on Aging, was approved with 15,673 votes in favor and 5,623 against. The renewal and the new tax will generate $3.4 million annually for senior services over five years. These include day-to-day expenses such as food production and delivery, mortgage and leases, utility bills, supplies, salaries and benefits for the staff, and programming for older adults. In Bloomdale, voters renewed a five-year, 1.3-mill tax for current expenses with 61 votes in favor and 27 votes against. Hoytville voters also renewed a five-year, 1.8-mill tax for current expenses with 24 votes in favor and 1 vote against the request. North Baltimore residents rejected a proposed municipal income tax increase of 0.5% for general fund operations and services for police and emergency medical services, park and cemetery, streets and capital outlays. There were 267 votes against and 180 votes in favor. Voters in Bloom Township approved two replacement levies. A 0.7-mill, five-year replacement levy for current operating expenses was approved, 305 votes to 116 votes; while a 1-mill, five-year replacement levy for fire protection was approved, 327 votes in favor and 97 votes against. Jackson Township voters renewed a 0.75-mill, two-year tax levy that generates funds for providing and maintaining fire apparatus: 110 votes in favor and 9 against the issue. Council, trustee races In North Baltimore, four candidates were elected to village council seats. Winners included incumbent Bill Cook, 271 votes; Timothy Pelton, 234 votes; Paula Beaupry, a write-in candidate who received 136 votes; and DeeAnne Hosmer, a write-in candidate with 89 votes. Write-in candidate Stacey Gazarek received 38 votes. Incumbents Timothy Engard, Aaron Patterson and Mike Soltis did not seek reelection. In Bloom Township, two incumbents were reelected as trustees. Terry Hummel received 260 votes and Michael Barnhisel received 254 votes. Third place went to Mitchell Emmitt with 205 votes. In the Bloom Township trustees race for the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2023, incumbent Jessica McGrain was reelected with 274 votes, while Jim Carter Jr. received 129 votes. An incumbent was reelected in the Henry Township trustees race where there were two open seats. The top two vote-getters, incumbent James Wymer Jr. and Jim Casey, each received 263 votes. Other candidates included Tom Gazarek, 171 votes; Henry Matthes, III, 227 votes; and Nick Stahl, 83 votes. Incumbent Jay Baltz did not seek reelection. In the Jackson Township trustees race with two open seats, incumbent Gregory Panning and Adam Ziegler were elected with 89 votes and 76 votes, respectively. Incumbent Matthew Sheeks placed third with 47 votes.