County health district levy back on levy

CELINA - Mercer County voters will determine the fate of a new Mercer County Health District operating levy during the Nov. 8 general election after the levy failed at the May primary election.

If passed, the 0.55-mill, five-year levy would generate $623,120 the first year of collection, according to county health commissioner Jason Menchhofer.

The owner of a $100,000 home would pay $19.25 annually in taxes, according to information from the county auditor's office.

The proposed health district tax levy would fund expenses such as maintaining public health services; office rent, utilities and renovations; lost revenue replacement; cost-of-living pay increases; a new health educator position and workforce support and development, Menchhofer said. Should the levy pass, funds would start to collect after six months.

"We need additional funds to maintain staff and services," he said.

One of the drivers of the levy is new expenses associated with moving out of the health district's current location in the Mercer County Central Services Building in Celina, Menchhofer said.

The health district by early 2024 will need to find another office space after occupying the current one rent-free for more than 20 years.

The health commissioner said the levy also would eliminate the financial burden political subdivisions in the county currently have to make. The various towns, villages and townships contribute approximately $295,000 to the health district each year for services, he said.

"It would relieve them of those obligations," Menchhofer said.

The levy failed in May with 4,138 (45%) voting in favor and 5,115 (55%) voting against.

Menchhofer encouraged those with questions about the health district or its services to contact the health district at 419-586-3251.