Council OKs ballot language change

Van Wert independent

Van Wert City Council made it official during a special meeting Friday evening as members unanimously approved a change in ballot language for a 1.2-mill, 25-year tax issue that, if approved, would fund construction of a new aquatics complex.

Mayor Don Farmer said earlier in the week that criticism of ballot language that would have allowed city officials to use any money left over from construction of the aquatic center for other parks projects l

“The group does not want to do anything to jeopardize an affirmative vote,” the mayor noted on Tuesday. “We don’t want anything out there that gives anyone a reason to vote ‘no.’”

Much effort has already been put into the aquatics center plan, with supporters of the complex coming up with donation pledges of $1.2 million that would be placed into a maintenance/capital improvements fund for the proposed center if the levy is approved.

New ballot language for the property tax levy now limits use of any money raised by the levy to the aquatics center project only, the mayor noted on Tuesday. At this point, the project cost is estimated at $2.7 million, but could cost as little as $2.4 million or as much as $3 million, Mayor Farmer noted during Monday’s City Council meeting.