West Milton earned income tax, Bethel change in tax fail

The Tipp City schools secured voter support March 19 for the 8.68-mill bond issue to build a prekindergarten through grade eight building off North Hyatt Street.

Also in Miami County, voters in the Milton Union schools defeated a proposed income tax request while Bethel Local Schools voters denied a request to make a levy a continuing measure.

Sheriff Dave Duchak also was re-elected as Miami County sheriff.

The unofficial vote for the Tipp City bond issue was 2,472 for the bond issue and 2,212 against, or 52.78 percent to 47.22 percent, according to the Miami County Board of Elections.

The $87 million bond issue was sought to help pay for the new building that would be constructed on school property off North Hyatt Street that currently is home to Nevin Coppock Elementary School, Tippecanoe Middle School and L.T. Ball Intermediate School. Under the proposed two-phase plan, the project would include removal of the Nevin Coppock and Middle School buildings while L.T. Ball would be repurposed.

The new building also would house students now attending Broadway Elementary School. The future of that property remains to be determined.

Voter approval of the bond issue was “significant” for the district, Superintendent Aaron Moran said Wednesday.

“We understand this was a big ask for our community and a big responsibility to take on for our students. For all the supporters, especially the bond levy committee - thank you. Your work to provide students with adequate resources was excellent. To those who opposed the bond, I hope our actions moving forward will bring more people on board for our vision of supporting our students,” Moran said.

With the passage, the district will begin on the “journey to build a new school, a project that will provide our students with modern facilities to enhance the overall learning environment for future generations,” he said. “As we move forward with the planning and construction phases, we will seek input and feedback from stakeholders to create a safe, healthy learning environment that meets the needs of our students. I encourage everyone to stay engaged and involved.”

The Milton Union schools request was for an earned income tax increasing the existing tax from 1.25 percent to 1.75 percent. Approval would have required the district to reduce the existing 1.25 percent earned income tax to 0.75 percent for a net effect of a 0.5 percent increase in the earned income tax levy.

The unofficial vote was 1,010 for the tax and 1,591 against or 38.83 percent to 61.17 percent.

Superintendent Brad Ritchey said Wednesday the district “will revisit our initial plans to realize savings in fiscal year 2025 with yesterday’s outcome and work with board members on next steps.”

“We will be looking to formalize plans in the next several days to provide the board with options. The board will also need to meet to consider plans for any future ballot issues,” he said.

Voters in the Bethel schools voted 619 for a proposed change of an income tax to a continuing tax to 1,094 against or 36.14 percent to 63.88 against.

Duchak won his third term as sheriff, besting fellow Republican Paul Reece. The vote was 10,144 for Duchak to 5,818 for Reece or 63.55 percent to 36.45 percent.

“I am very humbled, grateful for all of the support from the community, not just this election but the ones in the past,” Duchak said. He thanked those who worked on his campaign, family and friends and his “invaluable” staff.

“I want to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all those who supported our campaign. I am so proud of my family and many, many friends who went the distance with us. God blessed us to have met so many great people all throughout Miami County,” Reece said.

“We made new friends, and we learned about their concerns for our country and our county. Moving forward, we will always continue to fight for our freedoms and liberties. Thank you and God bless you all,” Reece said.

The board of elections will meet April 2 to certify Tuesday’s vote. Before then, 137 provisional ballots cast Election Day across the county will be reviewed and those meeting requirements will be added to vote totals.