Lorain Council backs renewal levies for local schools; passes naming rights contract for Campana Park

LORAIN — Lorain City Council backed renewal levies for the city's public schools during Monday's meeting. Members voted 8-0 to pass a resolution supporting Issues 21 and 22, renewal levies for Lorain Schools. Tony Dimacchia, D-at Large, and JoAnne Moon, D-5th Ward, abstained as both are employed by the district. Josh Thornsberry, D-8th Ward, was absent. Issue 21 is the renewal of a long-standing 23.85-mill current expense levy that dates to the 1990s. It raises about $11 million per year for the district, and if passed, would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $338 per year continuously. Issue 22 is a 10-year renewal of a 3.22-mill emergency levy that generates approximately $3.1 million annually for the district. If passed, it would continue to cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $113 per year. Mary Springowski, D-at Large, noted the levies are not new money; it is the same amount property owners have been paying for some time. "For a lot of these kids, school is their safe space," Springowski said. "It is where they're getting their clothes washed, it's where they're getting toiletries, it's where they're getting meals and we talk about youth violence and the things that can be done to mitigate it. One of the things we can't do is we can't take away their safe space." Beth Henley, D-1st Ward, agreed. She said one of the first questions asked by newcomers to Lorain is "what are the schools like." "If we want our city to continue to grow, we need to support our schools and keep pushing them to be the best that they can possibly be," Henley said. Stephen Sturgill, Lorain Schools executive director of operations and wellness, and Brian Baker, whose daughter, Courtney Nazario, is on the school board, both spoke in support of the levies during Council's public comment period. "Their only funding stream is property taxes. If we don't fund schools, as them being the largest employer in the city, you guys will see the repercussions of that in about a year from now because they will end up having to cut employees," Baker said. Both noted a bond issue for building several of Lorain's "new" school buildings will drop off property taxes in January, which will save residents some money. In other news Council approved the purchase of 10 new Ford Interceptors and one Ford F-150 truck for the police department. The 2026 model-year vehicles will cost about $910,000 from the police levy and replace aging patrol vehicles in the city's fleet. Members also approved a $114,000 expense from the city's Community Development Block Grant funds for El Centro's wellness center roof and structural repairs. 5K Commercial Roofing, of LaGrange, will complete the work. Members also approved a naming rights contract with Superlative Group, a marketing consultant firm, to market Campana Park. The $69,500 contract will be split into two phases, $24,500 to study the park and establish the value of the space to sell naming rights to regional businesses, and $3,750 a month during the sale process for up to 12 months. A $75,000 grant from Brilliant Source Energy will cover the cost of the contract. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.