GALLIPOLIS — Gallia County residents will head to the polls in a little more than a week to close the book on this off-year election season.

With state issues regarding casinos, a proposed livestock standards board and compensation for veterans grabbing most of the big headlines, local voters will also be asked to consider two county-wide issues: a sales and use tax for the operation of the Gallia County 911 system and a tax levy to support the Gallia County Council on Aging.

County residents first approved the 911 sales and use tax in 1994, which set the groundwork for the creation of the system in 1997. 911 Director Stephen L. Wilson said the 1/4 of 1 percent tax must be renewed every five years so the system can continue to serve residents of Gallia County. Local residents have voted to keep the the sales and use tax in place each time it has appeared on the ballot.

“Since its inception, the 911 center has undergone numerous technology changes,” Wilson said. “One recent update allowed 911 operators to locate and track cellular phone users that call 911. More recently we installed a Multi Agency Radio Communications System that allows every county in the state to communicate directly and also communicate with other participating agencies. We would appreciate your vote on Nov. 3 to keep these vital services in place for the safety of all county residents.”

Senior citizens in Gallia County are rounding up support for a replacement tax levy for the continued operation of the Council on Aging. That tax levy is 0.5 mill for each $1.00 of valuation that amounts to five cents for each $100 of valuation for a period of five years, beginning in 2010, first due in calendar year 2011.

Shirley A. Doss, executive director of the Gallia County Council on Aging, said the agency provides many vital services for senior citizens that are supported by the levy funding.

“Monies from the levy contribute to the success of our agency,” Doss wrote in the agency’s 2009 annual report.

Doss said the recent economic downturn has had a negative effect on all four major areas of service provided by the council: transportation, homecare services, adult day services and nutrition services. The council was forced to close its food pantry and has also had to cease offering its Chore Program, which helped local seniors with minor home repairs.

Doss said area senior citizens continue to make regular use of the Senior Resource Center, located at 1167 Ohio 160, which, coincidentally, is adjacent to the Gallia County 911 Center.

Residents of Huntington, Morgan, Raccoon and Walnut townships will vote on fire protection levies Nov. 3. The following is a summary of each levy:

• Huntington Twp. — 1 mill for each $1.00 of valuation, which amounts to 10 cents for each $100 of valuation, for a period of five years, commencing in 2010, first due in 2011.

• Morgan Twp. — 1 mill for each $1.00 of valuation, which amounts to 10 cents for each $100 of valuation, for a period of five years, commencing in 2010, first due in 2011.

• Raccoon Twp. — 0.4 mill for each $1.00 of valuation, which amounts to four cents for each $100 of valuation, for a period of five years, commencing in 2009, first due in 2010.

• Walnut Twp. — 1 mill for each $1.00 of valuation, which amounts to 10 cents for each $100 of valuation, for a period of five years, commencing in 2010, first due in 2011.

Polls across Ohio will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

(On the Web: Gallia County Board of Elections, www.gallianet.net/Gallia/BOE.htm; Ohio Secretary of State, www.sos.state.oh.us)