Voters approve SCS levy

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SIDNEY — Sidney City Schools Superintendent Bob Humble is batting 100 percent.

Voters in the Sidney City Schools gave a thumbs up to the renewal of a 9.23 mill emergency property tax levy Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the polls.

The unoffical total for the levy was 5,125 votes for and 3,201 votes against the levy. The vote will be certified on Nov. 19.

“I’m very happy,” said Humble after the last precinct results were received. “I’m 100 percent for passing levies for Sidney. And I’m five of six in passing levies overall.”

Humble said he was hoping the levy renewal would be successful.

“I was hoping it would pass that way,” he said of the 61.55 percent for the levy and 38.45 percent against the levy. “I didn’t hear much negative comments about the levy.

“I’d like to thank everyone in Sidney for supporting Sidney City Schools,” he said. “We need to keep up the good work since they (residents) have shown their confidence in us.”

A total of 18,554 people cast their votes in the election. A total of 4,546 people cast absentee ballots. The number of provisional ballots was not available at presstime.

“In 2014, which is a comparable election, 2,834 absentee ballots were returned,” said Shelby County Board of Elections Chairman Chris Gibbs. “All of the absentee ballots will be counted with each precinct.”

Humble said he was amazed at the number of absentee ballots cast.

“That’s a ton in early voting,” said Humble.

The renewal levy will generate $4,417,364 for the district’s general fund. General operating funds, said Treasurer Mike Watkins, are used for salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies, capitalpurchases, technology and other expenses associated with district operations. A portion of thefunds is also used for pernament improvements.

This was the first time the voters were asked to approve a 10-year levy. Previously they approved a 5-year levy in November 2009 and renewed it in May 2014.

Sidney City Schools Treasurer Mike Watkins, left to right, at the Shelby County Board of Elections Tuesday, Nov. 6 was light hearted along with Sidney City Schools Superintendent Robert Humble and Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst after initial results showed the Sidney City Schools levy renewal passing. The unofficial results found the levy passing by a 5,125 to 3,201 vote.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/11/web1_SDN110718SchoolLevy-1.jpgSidney City Schools Treasurer Mike Watkins, left to right, at the Shelby County Board of Elections Tuesday, Nov. 6 was light hearted along with Sidney City Schools Superintendent Robert Humble and Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst after initial results showed the Sidney City Schools levy renewal passing. The unofficial results found the levy passing by a 5,125 to 3,201 vote. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Humble passes first levy as superintendent

By Melanie Speicher

[email protected]

Few problems on Election Day

SIDNEY — Only three problems were recorded in Shelby County on Election Day.

According to Board of Elections Chairman Chris Gibbs, the first difficulty was because of a third party election site.

“It was a .org site which the people used to find their polling locations,” said Gibbs. “The Shelby County board nor the Secretary of State’s Office have any control over the site.

“Voters who were to vote at the VFW on Wapakoneta Avenue found the correct numerical address but the site sent them to Wapakoneta Hardin Road” he said. “They came to the board office upset. We explained it was Wapakoneta Avenue and we had no control over the site.”

Another problem arose when a site sent people with their absentee ballots to their voting precinct. Absentee ballots were supposed to be turned in at the Board of Elections on Monday.

“The ballots were all marked and in the envelope,” said Gibbs. “The precinct election officials are trained that that wouldn’t happen. Each voting location manager handled the situation. The votes will be counted.

“They will be processed at certification of the votes,” he said. “They will be merged into the stream.”

The third issue is one the elections officials deal with every Election Day — the person who come to the Board of Elections to cast their vote.

“We simply take that in stride and sent the person to their precinct to vote,” said Gibbs.

Reach the writer at 937-538-4822.

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