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SALEM -- Salem voters will be presented with the question of renewing the parks department's 1.3-mill recreational levy.
The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to place the renewal of the levy on the ballot in both Columbiana and Mahoning counties in the upcoming General Election on Nov. 3. City council previously approved two resolutions declaring it necessary to seek renewal of the levy, with two corresponding resolutions approved Tuesday declaring it necessary to actually present voters with the renewal in November.
Last approved by voters in 2022, the recreational levy has a period of five years and if renewed by voters would begin with tax year 2027 to be collected in 2028. The levy is estimated to generate $166,794 for the department annually. As a renewal of an existing tax would not cost residents any more than they're already paying.
The recreational levy is one of two levies which wholly fund the parks department, as it does not receive direct funding from the city's general fund as a semi-autonomous entity. The other levy is a 1-mill operational levy last renewed by voters in May 2025, which generates approximately $224,000 for the department annually.
The city council will meet next at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18.