Orange Township voters approved two five-year property tax levies on Tuesday, Nov. 3, keeping money flowing to local roads and parks that serve the Powell area.
Both measures passed with all 180 Delaware County precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Delaware County Board of Elections published by Delaware Source on Nov. 4. The totals remain unofficial until the Board of Elections completes its official count and certifies the election.
Unofficial results
Levy | For | Against | Result | Estimated annual revenue | Annual cost per $100,000 of auditor’s market value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parks & Recreation renewal (1 mill, 5 yrs) | 9,986 (57.82%) | 7,285 (42.18%) | Passed | $1,372,814 | $20 |
Roads & Bridges additional (1 mill, 5 yrs) | 9,050 (52.49%) | 8,193 (47.51%) | Passed | $2,279,352 | $35 |
The parks and recreation renewal drew broader support. The roads levy cleared a tighter margin, passing by fewer than 900 votes.
Both levies will be first levied in 2027, with taxes first due in 2028.
What the money pays for
The parks renewal supports the township's seven parks, the North Orange Aquatic Center and approximately 21 miles of shared-use paths, Orange Township Communications Manager Sydney Herbert said before the election. It will generate an estimated $1,372,814 annually and cost property owners $20 per year for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value.
The levy renews one originally approved by voters in 2007 without increasing its millage rate, according to Delaware Source. Herbert had warned that without the funding, the township would struggle to maintain those facilities and the aquatic center could close.
The roads levy will generate an estimated $2,279,352 annually and cost property owners $35 per year for each $100,000 of the auditor's market value. Revenue will go toward resurfacing, repairs and maintenance of township roads, along with purchasing and maintaining equipment used for services such as snow removal.
Although the ballot listed it as an additional levy, the proposal will replace two existing 0.5-mill road levies set to expire at the end of 2027, Herbert said. The township maintains 113 centerline miles of roads and sought the funding to keep pace with growth and rising costs for materials, equipment and maintenance.
How the levies reached the ballot
The Orange Township Board of Trustees unanimously placed both levies on the ballot at its July 15 meeting. Trustees Erica Fouss, Lisa Knapp and Michael Ringle each voted yes on both resolutions, according to township meeting minutes.
Countywide, 118,305 of 170,143 registered voters cast ballots on Nov. 3, a 69.5% turnout, the Delaware Gazette reported.
