COLUMBUS, Ohio – Supporters of a levy increase to support the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are expected to return with another request in the future after a half-mill increase went down to a resounding defeat in Tuesday’s primary election.
Voters rejected the levy request by a 70 percent-to-30 percent margin, with 38,914 voters saying yes and 92,218 voting no.
The tax would have raised millions for a downtown satellite zoo and other projects.
The campaign for the levy, which would have replaced a 0.75-mill 10-year levy with a 1.25-mill continuing tax, met with resistance from a local group and a Washington, D.C.-based conservative political-action committee.
School issues in central Ohio met with friendlier receptions. Of 14 on the ballots, only four districts — Liberty Union Logan Elm, Southwest Licking and Walnut Township — saw their requests defeated.
Turnout in Franklin County was light, but steady, with only 16.6 percent of the county’s 796,483 registered voters going to the polls despite warm, sunny weather.
Cuyahoga County voters approved extending a sin tax for 20 years to fund Cleveland’s three major sports venues. The extension is expected to raise at least $260 million, which will be distributed to the Browns’ FirstEnergy Stadium, the Indians’ Progressive Field and the Cavaliers’ Quicken Loans Arena.