Vinton County voters approve all three renewal levies on ballot

Vinton County voters chose to keep county services intact on May 5, approving all three renewal levies and preserving the current funding structure without raising tax rates. The strongest support went to senior services, which passed 1,160 to 534, while the OSU Extension renewal and the Developmental Disabilities renewal each passed 1,049 to 641.

All 20 precincts reported in the countywide issues, and unofficial totals showed 1,735 ballots cast out of 8,011 registered voters, a turnout of about 21.7 percent. Election Day voting accounted for 1,182 ballots, with 360 cast in person early and 193 by absentee ballot.

Because all three measures were renewals, residents voted to continue existing levies rather than add new ones. That decision keeps money in place for the Vinton County senior services program, including transportation and meal programs that many older adults rely on. It also maintains funding for the Vinton County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which serves residents with specialized needs, and for OSU Extension Vinton County, where programming covers agriculture, youth development and community education. If the renewals had failed, local providers would have faced pressure on staff, vehicles, food programs and outreach operations that depend on stable levy revenue.

The Extension levy has a direct local footprint. OSU Extension Vinton County lists staff members Jessica Burns, Jean Anne Myers, Tracey Perry and Travis West, and the office says its family and consumer sciences work focuses on safe food practices, nutrition, finances and relationships. The county office is at 31935 State Route 93 in McArthur, and Extension says it has helped Ohioans build better lives, better businesses and better communities since 1914.

The senior services margin underscored how firmly that program is rooted in county politics. Voters approved a senior citizens levy in November 2023 by 2,305 to 1,036, and the 2026 result showed continued backing for keeping meals and transportation support in place. The unofficial totals still await certification by the Vinton County Board of Elections, with Director Melina Hale Mois, Deputy Director Berneice Winter and board members Anthony Rose and Sandra J. Fel among the officials listed on the certification paperwork at 100 E. Main St. in McArthur.