Buckeye Valley bond issue losing narrowly

Buckeye Valley School District’s bond issue was narrowly losing Tuesday by about 18 votes.

Unofficial Delaware County results showed 3,060 yes votes and 2,968 no votes. However, voters from Morrow, Marion and Union counties were rejecting the bond issue 288-178.

The $31.3 million bond issue would pay for the construction of two new elementary facilities in the district, one in Ashley and another at a 31-acre site in Concord Township just west of State Route 257. The district has approved an option to purchase the land for about $465,000, but the purchase was contingent on the passage of the bond issue.

According to Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa, the bond issue would cost an additional $108.50 in property taxes annually on a property valued at $100,000. However, the net tax increase would actually be around $47 each year per $100,000 valuation due to the expiration of another bond issue in December.

The new buildings would allow the district to equip its buildings with the necessary infrastructure to handle modern technology and air conditioning, both of which are lacking in current elementary facilities.