By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — Although few items of city-specific interest were on the ballot, Trenton voters showed up in greater numbers than most communities witnessed during yesterday’s primary election, and gave overwhelming approval for a school tax renewal.
Voters were asked to approve the renewal of a 10-year, 18-mill levy to support school operations. Nearly 75 percent of the voters cast approved the request, with 2,194 yes votes against 740 no ballots.
Trenton Public Schools Supt. Rodney Wakeham said in a statement that the public’s support was obvious with the election results.
“We view this approval as a show of confidence and satisfaction in our school system,” Wakeham said.
Had the request failed, Wakeham said the district would not have been able to collect certain per-pupil funds from the state.
According to unofficial results provided by City Clerk Donna Breeding, more than 22 percent — 3,291 — of the city’s 14,749 registered voters participated yesterday.
The renewal allows the district to levy up to 18 mills on non-homestead properties — industrial, commercial or rental homes — for 10 years to provide operating funds. The approval was expected to raise more than $3.8 million next year.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)