To the editor:

Support Sidney’s 0.3 percent tax levy. This levy will provide permanent funding for street maintenance and fire department operations. The 0.3 percent permanent levy replaces the 0.25% levy which expires at the end of this calendar year. (Thanks to everyone who helped it pass previously!)

0.15 percent of the replacement levy will be dedicated to street maintenance and 0.15% to expanding our fire department operations. The funds from the active levy have been used to keep Sidney’s roads in good repair. The need for continued maintenance remains – if you have driven east on Russell Road between Wapakoneta Avenue and Main Street (in front of Bel-Mar lanes), you know exactly what I mean!

The other half of the replacement levy will help secure the safety/ fire protection of Sidney’s residents, particularly those in the northern portion where the city has seen significant growth.

For perspective, 0.3 peercent equates to $150 per year for a taxable income of $50,000… $25 more per year than the current 0.25% active levy … which is a little over $2 more per month! Scale it to your circumstances. Basically, the entire tax equates to a single flat tire caused by a pothole on a poorly maintained road. Skimping on fire protection can be far more costly! Please consider supporting this levy. As a citizen of Sidney, we are worth it.

Mary Paulus

Sidney