MOUNT VERNON — Voters approved by a margin of 68% to 32% a tax renewal that provides benefits to seniors or senior facilities. The levy started off strong with the initial reporting of absentee ballots, and the lead never dwindled.
The five-year, 0.79-mill levy is expected to generate $1.1 million for senior services. In 2021, eight senior programs received funding from levy proceeds.
Crystal McElhaney, assistant director and business manager for Centerburg Senior Services, said the levy money is vital for her organization. Levy funds provide about 98% of CSS’ revenue.
“I want to say thank you to the Knox County residents for supporting the Knox County Senior Levy,” she said. “Your support will help our seniors receive a hot meal five days a week, free of charge. They also receive free rides to doctor appointments. We offer exercise classes, cards, and Bingo. The Centerburg program is growing and this money will allow us to continue to bless the lives of our seniors.”
The natural gas and electric aggregation issues did not fare as well. On the ballot for the first time, voters defeated both measures 57% to 43%.
“Change is always hard, and the anonymous, misleading postcard sent out in the 11th hour didn’t help,” Commissioner Thom Collier said. “But, things will continue as they are, and that’s okay.”
“We thank the voters for making their voices heard,” Commissioner Bill Pursel said. “It is always an honor to be able to serve them, to provide ways to move Knox County toward efficiency and to keep the county special and unique.”
Township voters elected two of their three trustees in the 2021 election. Several townships also had renewal levies on the ballot. Following are the results of township voting.
Berlin Township
Gary Alverson 189
Matthew Caputo 267
Joseph C. Sellers 143
Tracie Weller 198
Brown Township
Steven Bratton 152
Brian E. Durbin 137
Butler Township
Douglas G. Beckley 49 47 2 0
Nicholas Beckley 50
Clay Township
Bruce Conard 158
Dennis Dugan 166
Robert L. Evans Jr. 77
Ethan Hardesty 109
Fiscal officer:
Dedra Kidwell 226
Renewal roads & bridges levy:
For the Tax Levy 193
Against the Tax Levy 97
Clinton Township
Robert R. Daley 218
Terry L. Thompson 210
College Township
Edward D. O’Connell 132
William N. Houston III 151
Harrison Township
Bob Elliott 97
John Norris 88
Hilliar Township
Eric Cochran 220
Jason Rogers 204
Howard Township
Craig Gilmore 442
Clarence Griffith 443
Alan Huffman 188
Gregory E. Lawson 488
Jackson Township
Scott M. Dugan 129
Bart Rine 159
Jefferson Township
Frank DiMarco 54
Larry M. George 36
Justin M. Kauffman 55
Layne Reed 27
Doyle Sumrall 86
Ray Williams 41
Fiscal Officer:
Lisa Lape 90
Gretchen Ruth 59
Liberty Township
Tyler Dennis 152
Darren Lee 61 49
Donald D. Rine 164
Renewal cemetery levy:
For the Tax Levy 153
Against the Tax Levy 99
Middlebury Township
Brian Alexander 85
Mike J. Gearheart 101
Kim L. Hathaway 118
Brad Swihart 85
Milford Township
Peter W. Dickerson 295
Josh Johnson 129
Richard A. Litzenberg 311
Miller Township
Roger A. McConnell 89
Lynn G. Rowe 136
Jared Yost 88
Monroe Township
Neil Bower 193
Doug Smith 166
Wayne T. Zollars 192
Renewal EMS levy:
For the Tax Levy 267
Against the Tax Levy 100
Morgan Township
Bradley Blacksten 117
Alan Doup 131
Richard Gage 126
Troy J. Rodeniser 161
Renewal roads & bridges levy:
For the Tax Levy 241
Against the Tax Levy 74
Renewal EMS levy:
For the Tax Levy 255
Against the Tax Levy 60
Morris Township
Richard Kershner 179
Randy Miller 175
Timothy J. Smith 246
Pike Township
Curtis N. Bechtel 107
John E. Crunkilton 107
Daniel R. Robinson 131
Renewal roads & bridges levy:
For the Tax Levy 129
Against the Tax Levy 69
Pleasant Township
James C. Hughes 155
Andy McGough 100
Chad Sims 219
Write-In Totals 3
Renewal roads & bridges levy:
For the Tax Levy 213
Against the Tax Levy 89
Union Township
Darryl Frazier 112
Tyrel Samples 113
Wayne Township
Matt Ashcraft 145
Jim Braddock 184
Lewis Canter 128
Bladensburg Joint Fire District
For the Tax Levy 315
Against the Tax Levy 150
Knox County had 41,745 registered voters; 9,485 cast a ballot. Absentee ballots accounted for 1,860. Voter turnout was 22.72%, down from the 26.08% turnout in the 2019 General Election. 2020 was a presidential election, which traditionally draws a much higher voter turnout. Results are unofficial.
