According to unofficial election-night totals, the four-year, 4.99-mill tax levy passed 5,522-4,389, with more than 55.7 percent of voters casting ballots for the issue.
In May, voters rejected a four-year, 4.99-mill tax levy by a 56-44 ratio.
On Tuesday night, Superintendent Todd Yohey credited levy supporters, including Lebanon Mayor Amy Brewer, who chaired the campaign, for the levy win.
“The passage of this levy is an incredible testament to what the Lebanon community believes about kids and the importance of education. We discussed responsible spending during the campaign, and we pledge to continue that in our daily operations,” Yohey said in a statement.
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Lebanon City Council
In the race for three seats on Lebanon City Council, incumbent Mark Messer and newcomers Adam Mathews and Joe Shafer were elected.
Mathews’ support included Councilman Jim Dearie, his law partner, who decided not to run. Brewer also backed Mathews.
“We had wide-ranging support from all parts of Lebanon,” Mathews said.
Mathews and Shafer filed to run early and ran hard up to Tuesday’s election.
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“Those people who didn’t get as many votes, they’re still winners in my eyes. I wish them the best,” Shafer said.
Incumbent Jeff Aylor was 186 votes behind Shafer, according to unofficial totals.
Former council member Jim Norris finished more than 400 votes behind Aylor. Neither challenger Ryan Tasseff or former council member Steve Kaiser got 10 percent of the vote.
Lebanon Board of Education
In the race for three seats on the Lebanon school board, newcomer Kim Cope, a former Lebanon Christian School teacher, topped the vote totals.
Also elected was another newcomer, Michael Lane, head of mortgage lending with LCNB National Bank and owner of Whit’s Frozen Custard in Lebanon.
Cope said the results pointed to voters’ desire for new representatives on the school board.
“I think the people spoke very clearly. It’s time for a change,” Cope said. “Families are looking for a voice on the school board.”
When asked what she expected to change, Cope said she would wait until after taking office to decide on this.
Incumbent Esther Larson finished third, 0.57 percent ahead of the other incumbent, Donna Davis Norris. A margin of 0.5 or less triggers an automatic recount.
Norris, the wife of the former councilman who also lost Tuesday, has been on the board for nearly 20 years, Larson for nearly 12.
Newcomer Raye Kimberlin and former Clearcreeek Twp. Trustee Cathy Anspach were fifth and sixth, respectively.
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