LISBON — Village residents will be asked on Nov. 8 to renew the existing 3-mill cemetery levy and an additional 1.25 mills to generate revenue for the upkeep of the Lisbon Cemetery.

The cemetery board decided to ask for an additional levy as opposed to increasing millage overall as a way to generate more revenue for the cemetery and not burden taxpayers with a larger increase.

“Had the cemetery officials chosen to replace the 3-mill with a new 4.25-mill instead of doing a renewal plus additional, the cost to the homeowners would have been significantly higher,” board member Gene Krotky said.

What this means is that when a levy is renewed it does not increase taxes for residents, so renewing the 3-mill is not actually generating any additional revenue but continuing to collect on the same amount as before, while the additional millage will provide more money to make up for what is needed to operate the cemetery.

Had the board opted to do a new 4.25-mill levy only it would have resulted in a higher rate of new taxes to be collected than the 1.25-mill.

The estimated property tax revenue that will be generated by the 3-mill renewal and 1.25 additional levies is $120,400 a year.

The 3-mill levy currently costs the owner of a $100,000 home $91.73 a year. The additional 1.25-mills will cost $43.75 for that same home for a total of $135.48 a year in taxes.

Both the renewal and additional levy are for five years.

The 3-mill levy was first put on an election ballot 29 years ago and renewed every five years since then.

Krotky said the levy no longer brings in as much money as it used to since property values have decreased and more vacant properties are not producing tax revenue.

“The cemetery board members faced a tough decision this spring when it was time to look at the levy renewal,” Krotky said.

She noted that while the cemetery has grown from 12 acres to 50 acres the costs associated with running it have also grown.

“While labor, equipment, materials and repairs on aging and inadequate buildings go up every year, the levy brings in less. It is currently bringing in far less,” she said.

The board said that many improvements have been made to the Lisbon Cemetery over the years but they were careful to get them done without using taxpayer money.

For example, a chapel and a columbarium were built; damage by vandals to monuments and the mausoleum were repaired, and war memorials were placed on the grounds, all using public donations.

Krotky also noted that a naval canon and a sea mine were obtained by President McKinley and the beautiful ironwork gates were donated by Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court John Clarke, who grew up here.

In addition to the levy, the cemetery’s other sources of income are the sale of burial plots, the services of opening and closing graves, the John H. Clarke Fund, which is a yearly stipend to be used for equipment and maintenance projects, and citizen donations.

The board said there is one other item on the balance sheet and that is the Cemetery Fund (formerly known as the Cemetery Endowment). This money was and is being set aside for future use when the cemetery closes and is no longer actively burying. The endowment will then be used to maintain the grounds, which the state requires the village to do.

In addition, the Lisbon Cemetery staff maintains the small once private and now abandoned Hanna Cemetery, adjoining the village cemetery near Cherry and High St.

“We have been on this board for a collective 27 years and have always been extremely appreciative of the support that we have received from the citizens of Lisbon. Not only have the levies been renewed but the day-to-day help that we have asked for has always been forthcoming. Some folks and skilled craftspeople have stopped to ask what they can do to help keep this cemetery in top notch condition. We are proud of our cemetery and gratified by your support. In honor of your family members and ours who lie in repose in this cemetery, please remember to vote yes for the cemetery levy on Nov. 8,” board members Jim Landfried, Wendell Cold and Gene Krotky said in a collective statement.

Lisbon Cemetery Board Members Landfried, who serves as chair, Cole and Krotky will be on hand at a meeting to answer questions about the levy at 10 a.m. Thursday at the cemetery chapel. For further information or to ensure a seat at the meeting, call the cemetery office at 330-424-7970 prior to the day of the meeting.