One Vision, One North Ridgeville

The City of North Ridgeville and North Ridgeville City Schools have partnered to address long-standing needs in our community. This November, two issues will appear on the ballot for consideration by voters:

• Issue 6. A bond issue to fund a new high school, an elementary school, dedicated space for Ranger High Tech Academy, a performing arts center and a transportation and maintenance facility; and
• Issue 28. An income tax levy to fund a community center attached to the high school containing recreation facilities including a field house with indoor track, aquatic center, fitness center and a senior center.

These two issues must both pass to realize this plan.

Key Components

City and school partnerships of this nature have been successful in many Northeast Ohio communities. View our Vision Boards to see real world examples of the types of facilities made possible through collaboration.

HIGH SCHOOL: To replace North Ridgeville High School will allow for the continuation and expansion of programming. Built in the 1960s, NRHS is currently well over its designed capacity.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: To replace Liberty Elementary. This new K-3 building would allow for full day kindergarten to be offered to all students, allow for the expansion of PK services while providing space for future growth.

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: A new performing arts center will allow for an arts expansion and performing space that doesn’t currently exist in the city. This space will serve both the needs of the district as well as the City of North Ridgeville as a whole.

COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER: A new community center, fitness facility and senior center will provide opportunities between the schools and community. Additionally, the community center will have rooms available for many groups.

FIELD HOUSE: A field house with an indoor walking track will provide opportunities for both the community and schools to practice and exercise. A shared facility reduces costs while providing the opportunity and flexibility to expand year round offerings.

AQUATIC CENTER: An aquatic center is the most consistently requested amenity in the city. If approved, a competition pool, recreation pool and therapy pool will be available for community and school use.

Why Now?

RESPONDING TO GROWTH: The population of the city has nearly quadrupled since the current high school was constructed in the 1960s. Today, North Ridgeville is one of the fastest growing communities in Northeast Ohio. Schools can no longer physically accommodate the student population. Enrollment projections show continued increases over the next decade.

CREATING LASTING VALUE: The High School and Liberty Elementary School were built in 1967 and 1976, respectively. These aging facilities do not meet the current needs of our students and teachers. New school buildings will provide more space, as well as the resources and technology to educate and empower all students for life success.

PURSUING OUR VISION: This is a community-driven plan. For two decades, input has been collected during numerous city and school planning initiatives via resident surveys, steering committees, stakeholder focus groups and general meetings. A recreation and community center is consistently a top priority of participants.

PROVIDING SERVICES FOR ALL: The community center will provide health and athletic programs for residents of all ages and a multi-generational connection between students and seniors. These amenities will appeal to young families and empty nesters alike, while promoting active and healthy lifestyles.

Funding Plan

The total project cost is estimated at $227 million. The partnership between the City of North Ridgeville and the North Ridgeville City Schools will save taxpayers $18 million in shared construction costs and continuing cost savings for operations.

BOND ISSUE: The School’s Bond Issue is an 8.65 mill bond issue which will generate $190 million. If approved, the issue will fund the construction of the school facilities portion of the project. The successful passage of the bond issue will cost a homeowner $25.23 per month for every $100,000 of total market value as determined by the Lorain County Auditor. Bond issue funds must be used toward the construction of buildings and cannot be used for operating purposes. Successful passage will lock the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission into providing $32 million toward the cost of the district’s project.

INCOME TAX: To provide the funding needed for the recreation center and senior center portion of the project, the City is proposing a permanent income tax levy of 0.2%. Local income tax is currently 1%, which would increase to 1.2%. Only individuals with earned income would be impacted. If both City and School issues are approved in November, the new income tax would become effective January 1, 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE INCOME TAX, ISSUE 28

The City is proposing to construct and operate a recreation center that includes a field house with an indoor walking track, an aquatic center, a fitness center and a senior center. These facilities would be located on school property attached to the new high school building.

To fund the $34 million needed for these improvements, the City is proposing a permanent income tax levy of 0.2%. Local income tax is currently 1%, which would increase to 1.2%, keeping North Ridgeville’s income tax rate among the lowest in Lorain County. Only individuals with earned income would be impacted. If both City and School issues are approved in November, the new income tax would become effective January 1, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will this project cost taxpayers? A: The total cost of the entire project is approximately $227 million.

Q: How much money will the state contribute toward the project? What will be done with this money? A: The state of Ohio through the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee will contribute approximately $31 million dollars toward the school’s portion of the facility project. The North Ridgeville Board of Education at its August 16, 2022 meeting passed a resolution calling for the state’s contribution to be used to pay down the bond, reducing the tax burden on the community.

Q: Where will these facilities be located? A: The facilities will be located on current NRCS properties.

Q: When would this project be completed? A: Assuming successful passage of the electoral issues in November it is anticipated to take four to five years for project completion.

Q: What will be included in the community center? A: The initial planning calls for aquatic spaces, field house (courts, indoor walking track, etc) and space for a new senior center.

Q: Will there be a membership fee for the community center? A: The exact details of what, if any, membership fee may be assessed will be determined at a later date.

Q: Will the new high school include a performing arts center? A: Yes.

Q: What grade levels will be in the new elementary school? A: The initial design calls for grades K-3 to be in a new elementary school. This will allow for expanded PK offerings and the ability to provide full day kindergarten.

Q: Why are we doing a joint project? A: By doing a joint project, we are addressing the needs of the community as a whole. Additionally, by completing a joint project, the community will save over $18 million in construction costs alone, plus additional operating costs in perpetuity over completing the project separately.

Q: Can revenue from the new income tax be used for other general government purposes? A. No. The new tax revenues will be earmarked for recreation and community facilities, including the operations and maintenance of those facilities.

Q: How will the credit be impacted? A. Where residents are employed outside of North Ridgeville, they may claim a credit of 10% of taxes paid to their work community, so long as the credit does not exceed 10% of North Ridgeville’s income tax rate. This means residents can currently claim a credit one-tenth of 1% of earned income. After passage of the levy, residents will continue to receive a credit of one-tenth of 1%.

Q: When are these issues on the ballot? A: Both issues are on the November 8, 2022 ballot. On Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting in-person and by mail begins on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.

Q: How do I register to vote? A: Tuesday, October 11 is the deadline to register to vote and be eligible to vote in the November election. You can register to vote or check your registration status at www.myohiovote.com. You can also register to vote online: https://olvr.sos.state.oh.us/IdentificationInformation or in person at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 N Ridge Rd. Lorain, OH 44055.