Tuscarawas Village Levy Returns to May Ballot After Filing Error
TUSCARAWAS (WTUZ) (May 4, 2026) – A tax levy appearing on the May primary ballot in the Village of Tuscarawas is being presented by village officials as a renewal rather than a true tax increase.
According to village leaders, a procedural mix-up last year resulted in the levy being placed back on the ballot in a different form than originally intended.
Mayor Dana Moore said the village missed the 2025 deadline to file the levy as a renewal for the November election. As a result, the existing levy expired.
“Therefore the levy is off,” Moore explained, citing a miscommunication with the Tuscarawas County auditor’s office. Moore added that the mistake was the village’s responsibility and not the auditor’s, noting that the lapse has temporarily eliminated the revenue stream.
Because of the missed filing deadline, the 2.4-mill levy for current expenses will now appear on the May primary ballot as an additional levy, even though officials say it was meant to continue existing funding.
“The truth is it would have been a renewal of the previous levy,” Moore said. “Just so everybody understands that this is not truly an additional levy even though it appears that way. It is only because of a mistake that we made.”
The levy generates approximately $59,000 per year for the village, costing homeowners about $84 annually for a home valued at $100,000.
Revenue from the levy is used for the general operation of the village, including paying day-to-day expenses. Moore said the funding is essential and expressed hope that voters will understand the circumstances surrounding the ballot issue.
Moore also noted that because of the filing error, the village is not collecting the levy in 2026. If approved by voters, the five-year levy would take effect in 2027