Adams County Voters Split on Ten Local Levies, Approve Five Measures
Unofficial Nov. 4 results show Adams County voters approved five of ten local tax measures, backing two Peebles current-expense levies, two fire levies and a countywide 911 levy while rejecting measures for children services, township roads and two Winchester current-expense levies. The mixed outcome will immediately shape budgets for emergency services and force local officials to reassess funding plans for services that failed to clear voter approval.
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Unofficial results from the Nov. 4 election indicate Adams County residents backed five of ten local tax issues on the ballot, with several measures decided by narrow margins. The approvals include two Peebles current-expense levies (57.83% and 55.82% yes), the Peebles Fire levy (66.26% yes), the Wayne Township Fire levy (63.12% yes) and a countywide 911 levy (50.28% yes). Defeated measures include the Adams County Children Services operating levy (53.78% no), two Winchester current-expense levies (53.68% and 54.94% no), a Bratton Township current-expense levy (51.22% no) and an Oliver Township road-repairs levy (56% no).
Because none of the measures were listed as renewals, voters were deciding on new tax authorizations rather than extending existing levies, a distinction that carries immediate fiscal consequences for local governments and service providers. Media partner WCPO noted there were no school levies on this ballot, leaving education funding unchanged by these results.
The passage of multiple public-safety levies — notably strong support for fire levies in Peebles and Wayne Township — will provide new revenue streams intended to sustain or expand fire protection services in those jurisdictions. The narrow countywide approval for the 911 levy, however, means emergency dispatch funding will be maintained through newly authorized taxing authority but only by a slim margin, signaling divided views among voters about added countywide taxes.
In contrast, rejection of the Adams County Children Services operating levy represents a significant policy turn that could affect child welfare programming and staffing. Local officials and agency leaders will now need to review budgets, prioritize services, and consider alternatives to cover any resulting shortfall. Similarly, defeat of the Oliver Township road-repairs levy and the Bratton Township current-expense levy will constrain those local governments’ ability to fund infrastructure maintenance and general operations without reallocating existing resources.
The split-ticket voting pattern in Adams County demonstrates voters distinguishing among types of public services rather than uniformly accepting or rejecting tax increases. Several margins were close, underscoring a divided electorate: multiple measures failed or passed by only a few percentage points, which will shape how trustees, councils and the county commission approach budget decisions and potential future ballot proposals.
These results are unofficial pending certification by the Adams County Board of Elections, which will finalize totals in the days ahead. Local officials and residents can expect discussions in upcoming meetings as municipalities and county agencies evaluate the fiscal impact, adjust spending plans, and determine whether to seek alternative funding or place revised measures before voters in the future.