Buckeye Lake Council narrowly adopts renewal levy for operating expenses

The Buckeye Lake Village Council on July 13 adopted Resolution 2026-10, moving a renewal levy on property in excess of the ten-mill limitation to the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Council President Tom Wolfe and Councilor John Lemmon moved the measure; the roll-call vote passed 4–3 with McCormick, Wolfe, Green and Julian voting yes and Cable, Keener and Lemmon voting no.

Resident Charlotte Basnett addressed the council during the levy discussion, saying, "People do not come to the meetings to know what council is talking about. She does not know the way to get the residents to know," and raised concerns about differences between the "haves and have-nots." Mayor Linda Goodman said the village had held meetings and town halls but acknowledged the message "was put out but it was not understood," urging residents to "watch and read and pay attention."

The resolution, described to council as a renewal for current operating expenses and declared an emergency so the question could be submitted to electors at the November election, drew "extensive discussion" before the vote. No additional budget figures or levy rate were specified in the public discussion at the meeting. The council will proceed with the election submittal process for the question; further procedural steps and campaign or outreach plans were not specified during the meeting.

The measure's narrow margin and residents' comments about outreach mark the next phase for the village: council action to place the question on the ballot and subsequent voter consideration on Nov. 3, 2026.