Going into the polls without reading this breakdown is stupid. Okay, I said it.

Reading the proposals for state levies and and charter ammendments and whether or not it is a tax renewal or replacement and what that all means is something that not all people have the stomach to understand.

There are also so many “thereof’s,” “amend to adopt,” “valuations,” and “mills” that by the end of the proposed resolution, it is difficult to know what you are even voting for or against. Just as the last two paragraphs probably have at very least rendered you nauseous.

Keep reading it will get better, I promise.

Queen City Forum magazine has broken all of the jargon down to understandable laymen terms, we did it because we wanted to know what it all meant, so we're just passing the info along, casually.

Kick back, chill out and read what the Issues on the Ballot for the State and for Hamilton County and the municipalities really mean… in your language. Make a crib sheet for yourself take it into the polling booth November 2.

Here’s how it works:

As it appears --- Be it Resolved by the People of the State of Ohio:

What it means --- This will be decided by all Ohioans that vote, not just some counties or citys, etc.

Appears --- That the Constitution of the State of Ohio be amended by adopting a section to be designated as Section 11 of Article XV thereof, to read as follows.

Means --– If the majority, that’s more than 50%, vote “yes”, then a new section of Article XV will be added to Ohio constitution. If a more than 50% vote “no”, then this will not be added to the state constitution, which means it will stay the same.

Appears --- Article XV, Section 11. Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage.

Means --– In all of Ohio it would be constitutional law that one man and one woman is the only thing that would constitute a marriage. If the initiative is passed, no part of Ohio can create a legal status such as a civil union, that would allow for anything resembling marriage.

There you have it. We provide the letter as it appears on the ballot, then we write it so you know what it means.

Funding of Drake Hospital: Proposed decrease and replacement tax.

As it appears --- A replacement of a portion of an existing levy, being a reduction of 0.75 mill, to constitute a tax for the benefit of the County of Hamilton, Ohio, for the purpose of SUPPLEMENTING THE GENERAL FUND TO PROVIDE HEALTH AND HOSPITALIZATION SERVICES, INCLUDING THE DANIEL DRAKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND VARIOUS DRUG COURT PROGRAMS at a rate not exceeding eighty-four hundredths (0.84) mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to eight and four-tenths cents ($0.084) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for five (5) years, commencing in 2004, first due in calendar year 2005.

What it means --- A "Yes" vote replaces the current tax with a tax that is 0.75 mill less. The tax goes to Hamilton County and is used to help funding to “provide health and hospitalization services, including the Daniel Drake memorial hospital and various drug court programs”. It would make the tax 0.84 mill for five years, beginning in 2005.
A “No” vote would leave leave the levy at 1.59 mill which currently funds 20% of The Drake Center’s current operating budget (League of Women Voters “Who and What of Elections”).

Funds for Community Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) Programs. Proposed Tax Replacement and Increase.

As it appears --- A replacement of 3.53 mills of an existing levy and an increase of 0.09 mill, to constitute a tax for the benefit of County of Hamilton, Ohio, for the purpose of PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOLS, WORKSHOPS, CLINICS, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES at a rate not exceeding three and sixty-two hundredths (3.62) mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to thirty-six and two-tenths cents ($0.362) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for five (5) years, commencing in 2004, first due in calendar year 2005.

What it means --- A “Yes” vote on this tax means that you are going to pay 3.62 mills for the benefit of the MRDD, which includes “operation and maintenance of schools, workshops, clinics, residential facilities and services.” Over 5 years, this would produce $85,272,000 more than the previous tax (League of Women Voters “Who and What of Elections”).
A “No” vote means that the tax will remain at 3.53 mills.

The repeal of Article XII: Proposed Charter Ammendment.

As it appears --- To repeal Article XII of the Charter of the City of Cincinnati. Be it resolved by the people of Cincinnati that Article XII of the Charter of the City be repealed. This amendment to the City Charter shall in all respects be self-executing. Article XII shall be null and void and of no force and effect. SHALL ARTICLE XII BE REPEALED?

What it means --- A “yes” vote on Issue 3 will change the charter so that Article XII, which is a hairy one, will not be law in Cincinnati anymore. A “no” vote on the Issue will maintain Article XII as being part of the City Charter.

Property Tax Levy: Proposed Charter Amendment.

As it appears --- An amendment to the Charter of the City of Cincinnati to phase out and repeal the tax on real and personal property in the City. Be it resolved by the people of Cincinnati that Section 3 of Article VIII of the Charter is hereby repealed and replaced with the following text: Section 3. Consistent with the provisions of this Article, the council shall annually levy a tax for current operating expenses on the real and personal property in the city for the purposes of the City of Cincinnati, its boards, departments and institutions. Beginning with the 2005 tax year, the maximum allowable rate of such tax shall not exceed four and five tenths (4.5) mills on the dollar of assessed valuation. Thereafter, the maximum allowable rate of such tax shall be reduced by five tenths (0.5) mill per year, until the property tax has been reduced to zero (0) in the 2014 tax year. SHALL EXISTING ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 3 BE REPEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY, AND REPLACED WITH THE ABOVE TEXT?

What it means --- A “yes” vote would approve the eradication of property tax in Cincinnati. It would be reduced for five tenths of a mill for each dollar of valuation per year until it is zero property tax, which would be the year 2014. A “no” vote would keep the property tax of 5 mills for each dollar of valuation, which is used for the “City of Cincinnati, its boards departments and institutions.”

For more on Issue 4, click here.

Renewal for Cincinnati City Schools: Proposed Tax Levy Renewal.

As it Appears --- Shall a levy renewing an existing levy be imposed by the Cincinnati City School District, County of Hamilton, Ohio, for the purpose of EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS, in the sum of $65,178,000 and a levy of taxes to be made outside of the ten-mill limitation estimated by the county auditor to average ten and fourteen hundredths (10.14) mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to one dollar and one and four-tenths cents ($1.014) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for five (5) years, commencing in 2005, first due in calendar year 2006.

What it means --- A “Yes” vote for this issue would continue the tax used to the benefit of Cincinnati City School District for emergency requirements. The emergency requirements run to the tune of $65,178,000. The renewal would run for 5 years beginning in 2005 and would continue to tax the rate of 10.14 mills for each dollar of valuation. A “No” vote would be a vote against the renewal of the existing tax, ‘nuff said.