Why is the ballot language inaccurate?
The ballot does not inform voters that a “Yes” vote will abolish the Mariemont Fire Department. As written the language simply proposes “Should the Village of Mariemont join the Little Miami Joint Fire District…”. The ballot, however, fails to inform voters that a “Yes” vote will abolish the Mariemont Fire Department. Thus, the ballot should appropriately read, “Shall the Village of Mariemont abolish the Mariemont Fire Department and join the Little Miami Joint Fire district to provide …”. b) The ballot inappropriately implies that a a”Yes” vote will lower taxes. The ballot is also inaccurate because it contains language that the Village will reduce its property taxes imposed on Village property owners by 4 mills, thus implying that by “joining” the LMFR, it will result in a property tax decrease of 4 mills. This is misleading because the ballot implies voting “Yes” will decrease property taxes. This is simply not the case. By voting “Yes” voters are actually voting to increase the
