Today is the last day for voters in Allegany’s Millicoma River Park and Recreation District to cast their vote on the  $125,000 five-year local option tax to maintain the district’s community building.

Ballots must be received by 8 p.m.

The summary of the local option tax filed with the Coos County Elections Office states the community building of the Millicoma River Park and Recreation District, formerly a school built in 1951, is in need of repairs and maintenance. The tax revenue would pay for that work.

Property owners in the district will pay an estimated 71 cents per $1,000 of assessed value on property — if the levy passes. At least a 50 percent turnout is needed for the local option to pass.

The school was open through the mid-1980s, then Allegany students moved to schools in Coos Bay. Community members rallied then to keep control over the school and formed the park and recreation district. The district leased the building until able to buy it in 1991.

If the levy passes, the district board will start making long-term decisions, starting with inspecting the building to see what repairs are the most urgent and making a priority list. The first year’s tax revenues would most likely pay off the remaining cost of the new roof installed this year.

The $125,000 won’t pay for all that needs to be done, but it will give the district a place to start planning for the future. The goal is not just maintaining the building, but making improvements, District Board Chairman Dustin Hood said.