NEW WATERFORD — New Waterford residents are being asked to approve an additional five year-road levy to replace one that is set to expire next year.

Mayor Shane Patrone said the 2-mill levy through Unity Township residents are currently paying on was originally approved by voters in the 1980s and as a result is actually only collecting 1.4 mills at current home values.

It generates $25,000 a year for the road department.

“That levy is expiring, so to continue to receive the funds the village needs to pass this 2-mill levy. It will be a slight increase to residents,” he explained.

That increase translates to between $8 and $30 per resident per year, or less than 65 cents a month to $2.50 a month depending on home values, he said.

Village council approved placing the additional road levy on the November general election ballot over the summer.

Council sought an additional levy in order to begin collecting at current home values.

According to the figures through the Columbiana County Auditors Office, the new five-year road levy would generate $34,400 a year to be put toward the construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges.

Specifically, the levy would cost the owner of a $50,000 home $35 a year–an increase of $10.44 compared to the existing levy–and the owner of a $100,000 home $70,000 a year in taxes, an increase of $20.89 compared to the existing one.

Patrone has said the current levy generally doesn’t cover the entire cost of the necessary road resurfacing in the village.

The village is responsible for the maintenance of seven miles of roads and Patrone has said the new levy could cover the cost of equipment used to repair and surface roads, including salting and plowing.

“The village needs to pass this 2-mill levy so the village can continue paving streets and maintaining the roadways for the next five years,” Patrone said.