Voters Approve Renewal Levies; Reject Additional Tax and Aggregation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Delaynie Potts

Village Clerk-Fiscal Officer and Assistant to the Executive

Telephone: (740) 742-2121, Ext. 1000

delaynie.potts@villageofrutland.org

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RUTLAND, Ohio — Voters in the Village of Rutland on election day approved two Village renewal levies, rejected one additional levy, and rejected a resolution which would have allowed the Village of Rutland to aggregate electricity.

According to the Meigs County Board of Elections, of the 253 total registered voters in the Village of Rutland, 93, or 36%, casted their vote at the ballot box. Voters were presented with eight referendums, seven of which involved proposed property tax levies, and one of which involved a proposed resolution.

For the Village of Rutland, voters rejected the 5-mill additional police protection levy, with 59 (67%) voting against the levy, and 29 (32%) voting for the levy. Five voters chose not to vote on the referendum.

Mayor Eblin explains the 5-mill additional police protection levy would have allowed the Village to employ a Deputy Marshal to provide 32 hours of additional police service each calendar week, in addition to the current 32 hours of police service provided each calendar week by the Marshal-Chief of Police. The Deputy Marshal would have been assigned to evening and night shifts, retaining the Marshal-Chief of Police for day shift.

In contrast, however, voters approved the 2-mill renewal police protection levy, with 52 (58%) voting for the levy, and 37 (41%) voting against the levy. Four voters chose not to vote on the referendum.

Voters also approved the 2-mill current expense levy, with 46 (52%) voting for the levy, and 42 (47%) voting against the levy. Five voters chose not to vote on the referendum.

Other levies approved by Village voters included the Meigs County Health Department 1-mill operating expenses levy, Meigs County 911 Services 1 mill levy, and the Rutland Township 1-mill fire protection levy. The Meigs Local School District general permanent improvements 1.5-mill levy was defeated by Village voters, with 50 (55%) votes against the levy, and 40 (44%) votes for the levy.

The proposed resolution to allow the Village of Rutland to participate in electric aggregation was also defeated by Village voters, with 52 (59%) voting against the resolution and 36 (40%) voting for the resolution.

Mayor Eblin explains the resolution would have allowed the Village of Rutland to aggregate electricity through the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council to secure lower electricity rates for Village residents.

In a statement released to voters, "The Village of Rutland extends a sincere appreciation to Village voters for supporting the current expense and police protection renewal levies presented upon the November 4, 2025 general election ballot. Likewise, we respect the decision of the majority of voters who opposed the police protection additional levy, as well as electric aggregation," states Mayor Eblin.

"With this community support, the Village of Rutland will continue to provide the most effective and efficient public services while also ensuring a balanced budget and fiscal sustainability."

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