Boardman Township will have three renewal levies on the May 5 ballot, including one issue, a 3.85-mill issues specifically for the Police Department.
      Passage of the levies is critical to the continued daily operation of local government after a 2.5-mill renewal issue was not placed on the ballot om 2025, resulting in the loss of some $1.971 million.
      Speaking last week at a Boardman Civic Association election forum, Atty. Steve Yacovone said that Boardman Township “will have three renewals on the ballot. We have a 7/10-mill general fund levy, a 3-mill general fund levy, and a 3.85 mill police levy.
      “Like all renewals these levy’s are not new money. This is to maintain what we currently provide here in Boardman Township. If these renewals do not pass, roughly one-third of our entire revenue will immediately be eliminated. The impact of this on the township would be devastating.
      “It would negatively impact every single department in Boardman Township including Police, Fire, Roads and Zoning.”
      Yacovone said local governments, especially Ohio townships, are at a crossroads considering efforts around the state to reduce the amount of property taxes assessed on landowners.
      “Every single one of the trustees in Boardman, as well as the fiscal officer, do not believe that the property tax funding model for a township as large as Boardman is tenable for the future.
      “We are actively seeking out other solutions for funding in the township that do not rely solely on property taxes. That includes discussions with our local leaders in the State Legislature to offer a different funding model for townships like Boardman,” Yacovone said at the BCA forum.”
      He added “We want to ease the burden on the homeowner and we want to change the funding we rely on. However, that change does not happen overnight and we have to continue operating the Township while those actions take place.”
      Yacovone touted the services local government provides and said “It’s not just renewals that are on the ballot this May, the future of Boardman Township is also on the ballot.
      “These renewals are integral to the continued success of Boardman Township. They’re important because when you have an emergency, when you call 9-1-1, or when you call our office and need assistance, you’re not only getting a quick response, you’re getting a response from a stellar employee of this Township.”
      Boardman Township operates on an annual budget of approximately $24 million and the three levy renewals represent about one-third of that funding.
      During his presentation to the BCA forum, Yacovone concluded his remarks asking voters to “consider the long term needs of our neighborhoods.”
      Without maintaining its current budget needs, cutbacks in personnel and services most likely will be implemented in Boardman Township; and in light of the loss of funds from the 2.5-mill levy that was not renewed in 2025, the township budget has already been reduced to 2024 levels and there has been a freeze placed upon hiring additional personnel.