Issue 4 Renewal Levy FAQs

Registered voters in the City of Avon Lake will have Issue 4 on their ballots for consideration in the Primary/Special Election on May 6, 2025.

Issue 4 is not a tax increase; it is a renewal levy that funds critical city services like police, fire, recreation, and infrastructure. Issue 4 will appear on the ballot as the result of a unanimous decision by the Avon Lake City Council.

Q. What is Issue 4?
A. Issue 4 is a 5-year, 1.5-mill renewal levy, not a new tax. It was last renewed by voters in 2020.

Q. How much will Issue 4 cost property owners?
A. Issue 4 will cost property owners $23 per $100,000 valuation per year, which equates to less than $2.00 per month. If Issue 4 is passed, most taxpayers in Avon Lake will pay approximately the same amount in 2026 through 2031 as they have since the levy was last renewed in 2020. This is due to what the Ohio Department of Taxation calls a "reduction factor." A reduction factor considers property valuations at the time a levy is originally passed and decreases the effective millage rate to ensure property owners don't experience a disproportionate increase in taxes solely due to rising property tax values. 

In 2021, the effective millage rate for this levy cost homeowners $29 per $100,000 valuation per year. Due to the reduction factor, the cost for this levy in 2026 would be $23 per $100,000 valuation per year. 

Q. How is the $23 per $100,000 valuation calculated?
A. Here's how the tax is calculated. First, we need to understand four key concepts. 

• Lorain County taxes 35% of appraised property value. 
• Due to the reduction factor, the effective millage rate of the Issue 4 renewal levy is 0.648135, per Lorain County.
• One levy mill equals $1.00 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. 
• Lorain County rounds up the calculation. 

Now, let's do the math. If we have a property valued at $100,000 and 35% of that property is taxable, that means $35,000 of the property value is taxable. To understand how much of our property value is taxable through the Issue 4 renewal levy, we multiply our taxable property value by the effective millage rate. For example: 

$35,000 (taxable value) x 0.648135 (effective millage rate) = $22,684.75

Now we know that $22,684.75 of our hypothetical property value is taxable at the rate of $1.00 for every $1,000 of assessed value. So, we can divide the taxable amount ($22,684.75) by 1,000 to calcluate how many dollars per $100,000 of property value we will pay per year if the levy is renewed.  

$22,684.75 / 1,000 = $22.68475

Lorain County rounds up to the nearest dollar. So, we will round up our $22.68475 to $23, and that the amount we can expect to pay per year for our $100,000 property. 

Q. What does Issue 4 fund?
A. This issue funds nearly 4.5% of the City of Avon Lake’s general fund operations budget. These funds help the City of Avon Lake continue paying for City operations, including police and fire safety services, streets, and parks, to meet the needs of Avon Lake's nearly 26,000 residents.

Q. If approved, how long will Issue 4 last?
A. If renewed, Issue 4 would help fund the City’s general fund operating budget for five (5) years.

Q. How has the City of Avon Lake managed taxpayer dollars in the past?
A. The City of Avon Lake prides itself on its fiscal responsibility, which has been recognized by clean audit awards from the Auditor of State. The city has also earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. Thanks to continuing support from the residents of the City of Avon Lake, the city has been able to provide a balanced budget while maintaining important services, making Avon Lake a beautiful place to live on the shores of Lake Erie!

Q. What happens if this issue doesn’t pass?
A. Issue 4 represents 4.5% of the city’s general fund operating budget. If it is not passed it would impact the city’s ability to provide the same level of police and fire safety services and infrastructure maintenance. The City of Avon Lake would like to continue to provide the finest safety, recreational, streets and other services for our residents, and the renewal of this levy is of key budget impact.

Q. How and where can I vote?
A. In order to vote in the Mary 6, 2025, Primary/Special Election, you must be 18 years of age or older and be registered to vote. The voter registration deadline is April 7, 2025. The Ohio Secretary of State’s website offers a Voter Lookup page you can use to check your registration status: https://voterlookup.ohiosos.gov/voterlookup.aspx.

Registered voters may vote early between April 8 and May 5, either in person or by mail. Early in-person voting takes place at:

Lorain County Board of Elections
1985 N. Ridge Road
Lorain, OH 44055

The Board of Elections website provides details on early voting hours, absentee ballot request forms for those who wish to vote by mail, as well as issue text and sample ballots.

Q. I plan to vote in-person on Election Day. How do I find my polling location?
A. The Lorain County Board of Elections website offers a "lookup" tool you can use to find your polling location: https://www.voteloraincountyohio.gov/find-polling-location.