Mayor: Port Clinton levies necessary

PORT CLINTON — A 4-mill levy on the ballot for Nov. 2 could help Port Clinton address various infrastructure issues for the foreseeable future. Mayor Mike Snider said the levy shouldn't come as a surprise to residents, as the repairs to the city's streets and water systems have been needed for years. "The infrastructure is never going to get better," Snider said. "The plan is to catch up, maintain it and keep our infrastructure going for the future." If approved, the levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $140 per year. The levy would be continual, but Snider said most residents in Ottawa County automatically get a 10% deduction on property taxes, meaning it would cost many about $126 annually. "The best part is, it will stay at that dollar amount per year. That's very critical," Snider said. "It's actually establishing an infrastructure maintenance program for the city of Port Clinton, which we've never had." If the levy were approved now, it would be based on current property values. "Every couple of years, the county auditor reassesses values of properties throughout the county. If this levy is passed in November, it's based on the current values of the property," Snider said. "If we have to come back next March and it's passed, then it's going to be assessed at the higher value." Snider said a resident who lives on Lee Avenue, for instance, has a handful of issues due to the water system. Due to the street being a dead end, securing funding is difficult as it's not a thoroughfare. "We have to correct all the issues leading up to that area before we deal with it," he said. "There are other issues between Lee Avenue and our sewage treatment plant, so we have to build that infrastructure out." Snider said some of the streets haven't been paved in over 50 years and, because the city is so far behind, they need to make a massive effort. If the levy isn't approved, it will take longer for these streets to be paved. "That would mean the roads are going to remain horrible until we have the time to build up additional revenue," he said. In addition to the street levy, a 5-year, 1.9-mill renewal levy is on the ballot for fire protection, ambulance and emergency medical services. Port Clinton fire and rescue Chief Kent Johnson said the levy won't bring any new taxes but is a vital contribution to the department's budget. "The fire department operates totally separate from the general fund in the city," Johnson said. "It contributes about $235,000 to $255,000 per year to my budget." Two years ago, the department took on providing EMS to the city, Portage, Bay and Catawba townships. "The levy helps offset that," he said. "We have a great group of men and women. It's phenomenal." The fire department and EMS department all work together, but fires are paid by calls while EMS shifts are full-time. "I found out years ago everybody in life will need us at one point or another," Johnson said. "We're very community oriented." Snider said the department is one of the best in the area. "Everybody in this community is going to be touched at some point in their life by fire or EMS," Snider said. "I can think of a dozen examples where my family's been impacted or they've had the fire department at home. It's something that's just needed."