Minster pitching replacement levy

MINSTER - Electors in the Minster Local Schools district will vote on a five-year, 0.2-mill recreation replacement levy on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

If approved, the replacement levy would generate $37,000 annually for the operation and maintenance of district parks and play areas. The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $7 a year, according to superintendent Josh Meyer.

Meyer said levy revenue goes toward landscaping maintenance and various projects at Melcher Park, including preserving baseball fields, painting park bathrooms and adding new doors, updating the park playground and repairing the Memorial Field concession stand roof.

Meyer added that the levy has been in place for over 50 years. If passed as a replacement levy, the millage rate would be reset from 0.1762 mills to the original voted rate of 0.2 mills.

"It was last passed in 2018 at 0.2 mills, and is currently collecting 0.1762 mills for ag or residential property," treasurer Laura Klosterman said.

"If we would've renewed the levy (rather than replace it), it would've collected less money than what was originally passed several years ago," Meyer said at a July school board meeting. "Replacing it allows us to realize some financial growth from property values increasing."

The district will hold an informational meeting on the recreation placement levy at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 in the large group meeting room in the elementary school.