Holmes County Voters Back Local Levies, Reject Countywide Senior Tax

Voters across Holmes County largely affirmed local levies in the November 7, 2025 general election, supporting fire, emergency medical services, and road levies in multiple townships even as they turned down a proposed countywide tax for the Council on Aging. The countywide measure for senior services was defeated by a margin of 2,189 to 1,714, or roughly 56 to 44 percent, signaling countywide reluctance to add a new levy despite local willingness to fund town level services.

One of the clearest local victories was a renewal tax levy for Holmes Fire District Number 1, which passed with 67 percent of 1,601 voters in favor. Several other townships approved measures aimed at maintaining road infrastructure and emergency services. Killbuck Township voters backed a fire and EMS levy, with 63 percent of 408 votes supporting the effort, while Mechanic Township approved its road levy with 58 percent of 291 votes. Monroe Township voters approved a road levy with 65 percent of 349 votes in favor. Paint Township also saw its road levy pass, with 63 percent of 127 votes backing the measure. Richland Township approved a Fire and EMS levy, with 66 percent of 183 voters supporting the issue. Washington Township renewed a road levy by a vote of 191 to 100.

Local approaches to liquor sales drew split results and reflected differing community preferences. In Monroe Township nearly 70 percent of 336 voters approved one local liquor option, and 65 percent of 337 supported a Sunday sales option for those sales points. By contrast, Paint Township voters rejected the local liquor option by 76 percent and rejected Sunday sales by 78 percent of 124 votes.

Village level measures varied as well. The Village of Killbuck passed a levy for current expenses, with 95 voters in favor and 66 opposed. Saltcreek Township approved a replacement tax levy for current expenses by a 59 to 31 vote. Killbuck Township voters rejected a road levy, with 62 percent of 246 voters opposed.

In Millersburg three advisory marijuana related questions did not pass. Voters rejected a nonbinding advisory question on a cultivator 389 to 208, a processor 384 to 204, and a dispensary 381 to 209. Because those questions were advisory only they do not by themselves change local law, but the results signal community sentiment as local officials and businesses consider future proposals.

Several local races and trustee contests were decided across the county, including contests for township trustees and school board seats such as West Holmes Local School District. Those results will shape local governance as officials manage budgets and service delivery in the months ahead.

For Holmes County residents, the election results mean continued local funding for emergency response and road upkeep in many communities, while countywide programs for seniors may face tighter budgets and renewed debate about how best to finance services for an aging population. Local officials will now move from campaign mode into planning and budget implementation based on the mandates voters provided on November 7.