6/25/14 Health District takes first step for levy in November

  • By Nick Sabo
  • June 25, 2014
  • 382
                        
SUMMARY: District proposes .75 mill levy for Nov. 4 ballot. Health commissioner says new revenue needed if health district is to avoid being consolidated into a larger, multi-county agency. The Holmes County Board of Health Friday June 20 took the first step in placing a levy before voters in November. At its regular June meeting, the board approved a resolution declaring its intent to place a .75 mill, 10 year levy on the Nov. 4 ballot. The next step will be certification by the Holmes County Auditor, followed by approval from the Holmes County Commissioners. Boardmember Kurt Rodhe, before voting for the resolution, asked if the millage amount is set in stone. The levy will be the first new attempt in a year by the health district. Voters turned down a similar levy in the Nov. 5, 2013 election 2,701 to 2,487. Earlier this year, the health board discussed trying a levy in the 2014 primary. At that time, however, the board decided it would be better to wait until November. The need for new revenues is due to funding cuts at the state level and the need to meet accreditation standards, according to Holmes County Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden. McFadden said that with a levy, the health district can continue to operate as a Holmes County institution; without new money, the district could be absorbed into a larger, consolidated multi-county agency. “I think it is something the state is expecting that we have local support,” McFadden said. “If we don’t have local support, I think that consolidation is a real possibility.” State funding will be tied to health districts meeting accreditation standards in the near future, McFadden said. The health district must prove it is meeting accreditation standards, a time consuming and costly process. The health district has received $160,000 over two years from the county’s share of state casino dollars to prepare for accreditation. The .75 mill levy in the November 2013 election would have raised $608,900. In a proposed agreement with the county townships, about $200,000 of that amount would have gone back to the townships, with the rest going to the health district. Rodhe asked if the millage can be changed when the health board is presented with the final resolution to put the levy on the ballot. McFadden said it is his understanding that it can be changed. Speaking to the board about consolidation, McFadden said that Holmes County residents expect a more personal relationship with public entities that could be lost under the blanket of a shared, multi-county agency. McFadden cited the health district’s response to the ongoing measles outbreak as an example. Boardmember Paul Miller said the response by the community to vaccination clinics further shows that the county is responsive to the recommendations of the health district. “With 900 or a 1,000 showing up at Keim Lumber (for measles, mumps rubella vaccine)...I think that is a good premise on us that they trust that (vaccination) is a good recommendation,” Miller said. The measles outbreak could cost the health district as much as $75,000 before all is said and done, according to McFadden. The board further passed a resolution petitioning the Ohio Department of Health to declare a state of emergency due to the measles outbreak. The declaration, which would affect six counties, including Holmes, would open the door to funds to make up for expenses incurred during the outbreak.


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