CHILLICOTHE— Voters will be in charge of making many important decisions Tuesday May 3 as five issues are up for vote on the ballot.

The Adena School District is proposing an earned income tax of 0.75% to be in effect for 10 years. This money would help to bring permanent improvements to the district. This tax will be based off of W-2's so it will not impact those who get money from a retirement fund. By law, the levy money can only be used for expenses such as facilities and technology that will last for at least five years. It can't be used for payroll or benefits.

The money will help to improve the 100-acre campus that houses Adena schools as well as the athletic complex.

"The school has been here for 20 years," said Adena Superintendent John Balzer. "Things wear out, it is a fact of life."

Some of the money will be used for the kitchen at the school, where many parts are old and inefficient or completely broken. These upgrades are important as the school prepares meals for up to 1,200 students a day. Also needing to be fixed is the auditoria, a combination cafeteria and auditorium. The curtains on stage are dry rotting and the life expectancy of the sound-absorbing tiles on the ceiling is coming to an end. The boilers and heating and cooling systems are also nearing the end of their life expectancy. 

This is the second time the issue has been on the ballot. Balzer is hoping that the levy will pass this time so that the school can continue to provide quality education and programming to the students.

"We are trying to put the district in a position where they will be able to handle all these expenses when they come up without having to figure out how to balance the budgets without cutting the services to students," said Balzer. "We want to continue to provide what we have come to know and expect in the way of services to our students."

When it comes down to the numbers a person earning $50,000 a year would only pay $375 to the school district. If passed the earned income tax would not go into effect until Jan. 1 of next year.

The school has provided a website for voters to visit if they want to learn more about the issue. This website includes pictures to better show what needs repaired and gives facts about the costs of running a school.

Other issues on the ballot include Harrison Township Fire and EMS, who are asking for a tax levy of 3 mills over five years. This money will go towards utilities, supplies, equipment and the general day-today operations cost. It will ensure that the department is able to continue serving their community. This issue was previously on the November ballot but lost by 42 votes.

Twin Township Fire and EMS are also asking for a tax levy of 3 mills over five years. This money will go to help support their Fire Department and EMS.

Paps Hilltop Distillery in Bainbridge is asking people to vote yes for their issue that will allow for them to start offering samples and selling their products at their store. This will also allow them to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Paps Hilltop Distillery is hoping to start production in the coming months. They will serve various flavors of moonshine, honey apple brandy and a special Bainbridge bourbon. 

Cross Creek Petroleum is asking for the same permission in order to sell liquor and alcoholic beverages on Sunday.

The Ross County Board of Elections is currently open for early and absentee voting until May 2. On election day polling locations will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information about the election or to find your polling location visit the Ross County Board of Elections website.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com