By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

Officials in Wayne Local Schools hope to remove a 10-mill operating levy from the Aug. 5 ballot, after a count of walk-in votes from the May 6 election showed the measure they thought had failed actually passed.

But until all recounts are final, the levy will stay on the ballot.

There will be five other money issues on ballots in the four southwestern Ohio counties for the August special election.

Officials in Wayne Local, a northern Warren County district, learned the 10-mill levy they thought had failed by four votes May 6 actually passed by four votes after 19 walk-in votes were counted this week. Final tallies, including some votes from nearby Greene County, show the levy passed, 1,058 to 1,054.

But because the difference is less than one half of 1 percent, an automatic recount is scheduled for May 30.

"We feel pretty good the vote will stand,'' said Superintendent Tom Isaacs. "It's a pretty incredible experience to be down by four votes for (two) weeks and then to be up four votes like this.''

The 10-mill levy replaces three levies that total 5.15 mills and expire by the end of 2004. It adds 4.85 mills, bringing a total of about $1.5 million to district coffers each of the next five years. The net effect to the owner of a $100,000 house would be an annual tax increase of $148.53.

Isaacs said the board would remove the levy from the ballot next month if the vote stands in the recount. If not, it will remain on the ballot and cuts would proceed.

Other issues on the ballot in Warren County include the city of Mason's 5-mill replacement levy for fire and emergency medical service. The levy would bring in about $4 million each of the next five years, with collections beginning in January. Taxes on a $100,000 house would increase about $33 each year of the levy.

Franklin Schools will seek approval of a 2.84-mill bond issue that would provide $16.7 million to add classrooms to every school in the district along with making repairs. It would cost the owner of $100,000 house another $87 each year.

In Hamilton County, Lockland Schools is seeking a 15-mill continuing levy that would raise $1.5 million annually. Taxes would increase about $345 on a $100,000 house.

And in Clermont County, Jackson Township will seek a 2-mill, five-year replacement fire levy; it would generate about $78,000 each of the next five years. Tate Township asks for a 4.1-mill continuing operating levy for the Fire Department. It would raise $542,417 annually and allow the fire department to begin paramedic service next year.