CADIZ, Ohio — The third time was not the charm for the Harrison Soil and Water Conservation District, as it went for another try at passing a levy to fund the district.
Total vote
Voters said no to the levy by almost 600 votes. The vote tally is 1,722 against and 1,144 for the levy, according to the Harrison County Board of Elections.
The Harrison Soil and Water Conservation District board was set to meet May 11 to discuss the district’s immediate future.
The group was asking for a 1/4 mill levy to be passed. If it had been approved, the levy would have generated $52,000 a year. The funds were to be used for operating expenses.
The district did get any funding for this year from county commissioners because of a budget deficit.
The SWCD is currently operating with one full-time and one part-time employee and has maintained 90 percent of its programming, but that may change.
Options to explore
In the short-term, Harrison SWCD will look at the possibility of sharing employees with another district and cutting hours.
The district will also pursue funding from the Conservation Assistance Fund of up to $25,000.
