MOUNT VERNON — Expect contested races for Mount Vernon City Council in November.

The filing deadline for the May 6 primary election was Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Mount Vernon voters shouldn’t expect a primary challenger for the open seats.

Here is how the City Council races shape up, though the Knox County Board of Elections will meet Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. to certify petitions and set the official ballot.

Until that meeting, all petitions are classified “pending review.”

At-large

There are no contested races in the primary, but the November general election will leave voters four to choose from of three open positions.

Current Republican At-large council members Amber Keener and Mel Severns have filed to retain their seats. They will be joined by Republican Samantha Ramsier and Democrat Rodney Miller as four candidates seeking three seats.

Current Republican At-large Councilwoman Janis Seavolt is not seeking reelection.

1st Ward

The race for the 1st Ward seat will be between current Republican incumbent James Mahan and Democrat Joseph Noonen in November.

Mahan was appointed to council in November 2022 when former Councilman Josh Kirby resigned Oct. 20, 2022.

No other contested races

Second, third and fourth ward council seats will likely be uncontested, according to Knox County Board of Election candidate filings.

LeNan Hager, a Republican, is running for the fourth-ward seat unopposed. Current Councilman Mike Miller, a Republican, said he won’t seek reelection due to health reasons.

Republican Nicholas Hartley is running unopposed for the third-ward seat. Current third-ward Councilwoman Tammy Woods, a Republican, didn’t file for reelection, according to Knox County Board of Election filings.

Current second-ward Councilman John Ruckman, a Republican, is running for reelection unopposed.

Current city council president Bruce Hawkins, a Republican, is running for reelection unopposed.

Current city treasurer David Stuller, a Republican, is running unopposed.

Daniel Brinkman, a Republican, is running for the vacant city auditor position.

In January, current city auditor Paul Mayville announced his resignation from the position with Feb. 14 being his last day.

Primary ballot issues

There are multiple tax issues headed to the primary ballot, including one Loudonville-Perrysville school district question.

Loudonville-Perrysville Schools is asking voters to approve a 6.62-mill bond issue and 0.25% income tax levy to fund a $69.2 million new PK-12 building. Voters will be asked to cover $41 million of the building’s cost. The income tax levy would generate $4 million over 23 years, and a property tax would cover $37 million in bonds for the project, to be paid off over a period of 37 years. The issue includes demolishing Budd and McMullen elementary schools and parts of Loudonville High School

The Central Ohio Joint Fire District is seeking a four-year 5.925 mill replacement property tax levy.

The Knox County Auditor’s Office estimates the levy will cost $207 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s appraised value.

The levy is expected to bring in $1.468 million in property tax revenue over its lifespan, according to the county auditor. This estimate is based on a total property value of $247,764,120 million in the affected areas.

Fredericktown Recreation District is seeking a three-year 1.5 mill property tax renewal for parks and recreation operations.

The Knox County Auditor’s Office estimates the levy will cost $53 for each $100,000 of the auditor’s appraised value.

The levy is expected to generate about $236,300 in property tax revenue over its lifespan, according to the auditor’s evaluation. This estimate is based on a total property value of $194,611,690 million across the affected areas.

Editor’s Note: Ohio law doesn’t allow write-ins for the primary ballot for municipal elections if there isn’t a primary to be held.