Voters in Montgomery County will have a number of ballot measures and races to consider in next Tuesday’s election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4.

One measure to be decided by all voters is implementing a three percent sales tax on recreational marijuana, the maximum local tax allowed by the 2022 state amendments that legalized the drug. The tax would not apply to marijuana products from a licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
New Florence voters also will decide a similar measure for future legal sales in the town.

In the Wellsville-Middletown R-I School District, a $1.9 million no-tax increase bond issue known as Proposition K.I.D.S. is on the ballot.

If approved, funds will help pay for improvements at the elementary and high schools. The projects include new metal siding, metal roof, gutters, new insulation and secure entry renovation for the elementary school and asbestos flooring removal, new flooring and kitchen equipment for the high school.

The school district also wants to add welding booths with exhaust at the school’s ag shop for ventilation.
The project at the elementary school will cost between $900,000 and $1 million. The high school project will cost over $600,000. There is also a project on the school’s parking lots that will cost between $250,000-$270,000.

In High Hill, voters will decide whether or not a 4% license tax on the gross receipts of any business supplying natural or manufactured gas for compensation should be implemented.

Contested races
The Montgomery County R-II School District has four candidates vying for three-year terms. They are Karl Finke, Karl Queathem, Maria Stille and Daniel Dothage.

There are three mayoral races. Howard Steele and Sally Naysmith are running against each other in Wellsville, while Gary Moore and Aaron Winter face off in Middletown. In New Florence, the mayoral race is between Brad Kent and Beth Nelson.

Second Ward voters in Wellsville have two candidates, Jock Bryson and Elizabeth Baig, vying for a spot on the board.
The following have filed for two positions on the Middletown Community Fire Protection District board: Aaron Winter, Jarrod Howard, Marvin Perkins, Michael Fidler, Neil Gilbert and Georgia Scarbrough.