Rec levy renewal passes on second try

Published 12:50 am Wednesday, November 6, 2013

As the final tally was coming in, Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship, sitting on the courthouse steps, was happy with what he was seeing.

“We have our rec levy,” Blankenship said.

This time the city’s recreation levy renewal took 62.9 percent of the 1,585 votes cast in that race.

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This time last year, however, voters said no to the half mill levy that would cost a property owner approximately $30 a year on property with a taxable value of $55,000. If the levy had not passed on Tuesday, it was set to expire on Dec. 31.

“I want to thank the citizens of Ironton for voting for this,” Blankenship said.

The levy brings in roughly $85,000 a year, which pays the salary and benefits of Recreation Director Brett Thomas and the wages of a seasonal part-time employee.

Those two cut more than 22 acres of grass in city parks during the spring and summer. The levy also funds Thomas’ work with youth basketball leagues. Currently there are 330 students participating in those leagues, as either players or cheerleaders.

The reason for this year’s result was two-fold, Blankenship said.

“This time we tried to educate the citizens and let them know what the recreation department does,” he said.

Also last year the levy got caught in a voter epidemic of turning down issues en masse.

“There were too many controversial issues on the ballot last time,” Blankenship said. “People voted no on everything. This levy benefits all in Ironton and that is what will continue.”