Logan County voters turned out in large numbers to vote for this year's Nov. 3 General Election, with more than half of those voters taking advantage of early in-person voting to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. 

Voter turnout was 57.41 percent in Logan County, with a total of18,069 ballots cast. Of those ballots, 6,909 were cast on Election Day; while 9,344 were cast early in-person and 1,816 absentee ballots also were cast. 

The majority of local levy requests did not meet voter approval, including the Bellefontaine City Schools' 1 percent earned income tax levy.

That issue failed by about 61.8 percent, with 3,250 voters casting "no" votes and 2,009 voting for the levy, according to unofficial totals from the Logan County Board of Elections. 

Once fully collected, the income tax would have generated $3.5 million annually for current district expenses and programs.

The outcome presents financial challenges for Bellefontaine City Schools, officials said in a prepared release. The district will carefully evaluate their budget, identify necessary cost reductions and communicate openly about the decisions ahead, Superintendent Brad Hall said on election night. 

“I'm disappointed in the outcome, but we remain committed to moving forward, making difficult decisions responsibly, and keeping our focus on providing the best possible education for Bellefontaine students," Hall said. 

"I respect the decision of our community regarding the income tax and thank everyone who participated in the election.”

Prior to the election, Hall said BCS has made major budgetary cuts in recent years. Since 2019, the school district has made $3.5 million in reductions. Many of the reductions were in staffing costs, mostly through attrition and not filling vacant positions.

While facing mounting expenses, Hall previously stated that the district also is facing the financial pressure of receiving less state funding than in the past, a trend that will gradually worsen in the upcoming years.

“In 2022, 62 percent of our funding came from the state of Ohio. And they've reduced that now for 2027 to 49 percent," Hall noted. “By 2031, that's going to be reduced to 36 percent."

On the countywide ballot, voters also rejected the five-year renewal of the 0.5 percent sales and use tax requested by the Logan County Board of Commissioners. A total of 9,614 voted against the measure and 8,169 voted for the levy, according to unofficial totals. 

The 0.5 percent sales tax for roads and bridges was a long-running tax levy in Logan County that began in 1997. The sales tax funds have divided as follows: 25 percent- County roads and bridges and stormwater within the right-of-way; 25 percent - Logan County Sheriff’s Office; 20 percent - Township roads and bridges and stormwater within the right-of-way; 20 percent- Municipal roads and bridges and stormwater within the right-of-way; 10 percent - Economic development and land use planning.

Additionally, the Indian Lake Joint Ambulance District EMS’s operating levy request failed to meet voter approval, with 1,850 voting “no” on the 8-mill issue and 1,202 voting "yes," according to unofficial totals. 

IL EMS Chief Josh Strayer said he was disappointed that the department would not be able to add a second crew, as was planned with the new funding. However, the current levy will fund the department through 2027. 

The IL EMS board will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the station to consider their next options. 

Chief Strayer said town hall informational meetings about the levy hosted prior to the election were sparsely attended, with only one resident showing up for the final meeting. He encouraged residents to call or stop at the station with any questions.

Two renewal levies in local villages did gain voter approval, including the McArthur Township Fire levy, excluding Huntsville. A total of 429 voted for the levy, while 294 voted against the issue, according to unofficial totals. 

Additionally, West Liberty’s current expense renewal levy was approved 381 votes to 346 votes, according to unofficial results.