In Streetsboro Ohio bye-election used to decide on new city center

            Tuesday, May 7—Residents in Portage County will be able to decide on their community’s future today at Ohio’s by-election. For residents in 13 communities, that choice comes in the form of 15 issues. In Streetsboro, residents will be presented with Issue six and Issue 14. Issue six is an additional school tax levy for five years to increase education funds. Issue 14 is the city’s chance to reshape its image.

On April 22, the Streetsboro City council held a special finance meeting to discuss financial scenarios facing the city. City Council members discussed installing a shed for the parks department, streamlining the city’s credit with local vendors and Streetsboro’s ambitious revitalization plan: The City Center Project.

The City Center Project is Streetsboro’s plan to create a hub where businesses, city services and the city’s government can be located. There are plans to build a new fire station, a facility for senior citizens and a new city hall.  The city plans to build on land it owns on and around the city’s current fire station on State Route 43, and Ohio 14. The city has been working with contractors and developers on the project. Streetsboro Mayor Glenn Broska says building plans are nearly ready to move forward. Still, there are obstacles in the city’s way.

Before construction can begin, residents must pass ballot Issue 14, an additional tax levy set to begin in 2019 and continue for 20 years. Council Member Bridget Pavlick and Council President Jon Hannan expressed their confidence in Issue 14’s ratification but admitted that if the issue did not pass the city would not be able to complete the project.

            “I don’t have many concerns about that; obviously money’s always an issue,” Said Pavlick. “We’ve been doing this process for a while—over a year—and I think the folks in the fire department and the chief, and those in city council [sic] that have worked on it—I think we’re doing due diligence.”

            When asked, Hannan stated that he sees no reason for the levy to not pass, equating the increase in taxes for city residents to $2.00 a year. However, similar ballots have failed in the past.

In 2017 Streetsboro voters turned down a levy that would have established a recreation center, city hall, fire station and private developments meant to offset costs of the project.

The city has had previous financial issues with the project. In 2015 Streetsboro City Schools filed a legal complaint against the city for $400,000 in income tax revenue. That amount reached $700,000 in 2018, but in March of 2019, the school district and city settled, leaving the city to pay the school district $625,000 in one lump sum. The lawsuit hindered development of the project, reducing available funds and shifting the city council’s focus.

            I’m hoping it does because they’ve been in that old school for years,” said Eric Hilston, a long-time Streetsboro resident and voter when asked about the city’s plan for a new fire station.  “That was my, actually, my primary school. My elementary school. Yeah. So, I hope it passes. I think they need a new fire station.”

Eric Hilston’s sentiment is shared by his wife, Becky about the senior wellness center.

            “Yeah, they’ve push them out of where they were at and then they’re over [at the new senior center] now and they probably need more space. You know, I think they do and it’s really, I think it’s heavily attended. I mean, there’s a lot of seniors coming in and out there all the time. So, I think it’s a needed, you know, a needed program around here.

**edit on May 7th, 2019** Issue 14 received 2,127 yes votes and No, 1,493 votes, passing.