There’s not a lot of drama set for the November election as far as local races go. Only one race is contested – township trustee – and there is one levy referendum on the ballot.
In the trustee race, Shannon Devitz, who was appointed in December to fill the unexpired term of Ron Haun, who resigned, is seeking a four-year term. She is challenged by former township Police Chief Tim Gladis.
John Paul Martin had properly filed petitions to be on the ballot for trustee but has since withdrawn his candidacy because of a personal issue that arose after he submitted his election petitions.
In 2024, trustee pay will be $15,104, based on 200 days of work and a rate of $75.52 a day. Those rates are set by state law and take into account the size of the township budget. Trustees also can join the township’s employee healthcare plan.
Dena McMullin is seeking a fourth term as fiscal officer, a position responsible for paying bills, making out payroll, consulting with the trustees on financial matters, preparing meeting minutes and keeping township records. In 2024, the Brookfield fiscal officer will make $25,963.
Yankee Lake council has seats open but no one is running for them, said Stephanie Penrose, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections. Council members typically appoint members, she said.
For the school board, Melissa Sydlowski and Sarah Kurpe are seeking re-election for four-year terms. Derek Mihalcin, who was appointed in Jan. 2022 to a two-year term after no one ran for the seat in Nov. 2021, is seeking a two-year term.
School board members are paid $125 a month if they attend at least one meeting, and have access to the district’s healthcare plan as long as they pay the full premium.
The school board also has a 2.3-mill, 5-year permanent improvement levy on the ballot. If approved, the money would be used for construction and maintenance projects and major purchases. The county auditor said the levy would bring in $337,000 a year, and a home assessed at $100,000 would cost an extra $81 a year in taxes.
