Election today: Here's what's on the ballot

Superintendent Matt Bishop sees two futures for Lockland Schools:

In the first, voters approve the 11.2-mill levy on the May 5 ballot. There won't be any flashy changes, but if a roof starts to leak, Lockland can patch it. If a boiler breaks, there's money for the repair.

In the second, the levy goes down.

Then, it's time to think about more cuts. It might mean no new technology. It might mean layoffs. And somewhere down the line, it might mean the Ohio Department of Education steps in and decides Lockland – with its district-wide enrollment of 585 – is no longer viable.

"And that's another piece: How important is it to have community schools in Arlington Heights and Lockland?" Bishop asked. "How important is it to have a small district in your town?"

Lockland's levy will cost the owner of a $50,000 home $16.33 a month in addition to the $25 or so a month he/she already pays. Typically, levy amounts are announced as what the owner of a $100,000 home will pay. That's part of the struggle in Lockland, Bishop said. Home values are so low – $50,000 on average compared to about $90,000 statewide – that levies just don't bring in as much.

Lockland's last successful levy was in 2003. There have been several tries since, and now, it's time, Bishop said.

"We're having to make decisions all the time to put Band-Aids over problems that need a more permanent fix," he said. "Basically, it's our turn. We've held it off for 12 years, so it's kind of up to a point where we have to either keep reducing our expenditures or pass this levy."

Tuesday will be Lockland's third-consecutive levy attempt. This time, Bishop thinks the support is there. The question is whether those supporters will show up on Election Day.

"Will they think that it's important enough to show up and vote?" he asked.

Also on the May 5 ballot:

Hamilton County

• Arlington Heights tax levy: for current operating expenses, 9 mills, for five years

• Elmwood Place tax levy: a renewal levy for current expenses, 10 mills, for five years

• Winton Woods City School District bond issue: for school construction, 8.79 mills. The issue would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $25.63 per month.

Northwest Local School District, combined bond/operating levy: 3.15 mill bond levy, 1.18 mill operating levy. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $151.55 annually.

• Cheviot tax levy: for general construction and road and bridge resurfacing and repair, 3 mills, for five years.

• Forest Park fire levy: 5.75 mills, continual

• Harrison City fire levy: 2.4 mills, for five years

Butler County

• Fairfield Township levy: for public safety, 4.9 mills, continual

• Edgewood City School District: substitute levy, 5.4 mills, 5 years

• Lane Public Library: renewal levy, .75 mills, 10 years

• Midpointe Library: renewal levy, .75 mills, 5 years

Warren County

• Kings Local School District: Renewal levy, 3 mills, continual

Kings first passed this levy in 1990 and has renewed it four times since. This time, it would become permanent, bringing the district about $1 million annually.

• Franklin Township fire levy: 14.57 mills, continual

• Salem Township fire levy: 3.9 mills for five years

• Harlan Township fire: renewal levy, 2.9 mills for five years

• Carlisle income tax levy: 0.5 percent, continual

• Warren County Career Center: replacement levy, 3.5 mills, continuing

Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.

Election day

Tuesday is Election Day in Ohio. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come to Cincinnati.com Tuesday night for results.