Cuyahoga County Issue 7 — Independence Local School District: Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal)

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Independence Local school district voters

What it does
A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Independence Local School District for the purpose of general permanent improvements that the County Fiscal Officer estimates will collect $587,996 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.25 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $26 for each $100,000 of the County Fiscal Officer’s market value, for five years, commencing in 2027, first due in calendar year 2028.
A YES vote means
Independence Local School District would renew a tax of up to 1.25 mills ($26 per $100,000 of the County Fiscal Officer's market value) for general permanent improvements, for five years starting in 2027.
A NO vote means
Independence Local School District would not renew this 1.25-mill tax.
What it would cost
Up to 1.25 mills for 5 years: $125 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Ohio taxes 35% of a home's appraised value, so that's about $43.75 per $100,000 of appraised value; renewals often collect less than the full rate because of Ohio's tax-reduction factors. Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours. It would continue a tax already in place rather than add a new one.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to Independence Local Schools, the Board of Education approved the second resolution placing this renewal on the ballot at its July 21, 2026 meeting. Voters last renewed the levy in November 2021.

The district says the 1.25-mill, five-year Permanent Improvement levy raises about $700,000 a year for facilities, buses and technology. It costs about $26 a year per $100,000 of property value and would not raise taxes because it is a renewal.

District officials say PI funds cannot be used for day-to-day operating costs, and that keeping the levy matters regardless of which long-term facilities plan the Board pursues.

Put on the ballot by Independence Local School District Board of Education, July 21, 2026.

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 7 mean?
Independence Local School District would renew a tax of up to 1.25 mills ($26 per $100,000 of the County Fiscal Officer's market value) for general permanent improvements, for five years starting in 2027.
What does a NO vote on Cuyahoga County Issue 7 mean?
Independence Local School District would not renew this 1.25-mill tax.
How many votes does Cuyahoga County Issue 7 need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Cuyahoga County Issue 7?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Cuyahoga County ballot.

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