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Issue 50 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Hamilton County Majority Approval Required Pass: 114,406 / 77.11% Yes votes ...... 33,968 / 22.89% No votes
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Information shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Impartial Analysis | | ||||||
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Hamilton County, Ohio, for the purpose of SUPPLEMENTING THE GENERAL FUND OF THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE OR MAINTAIN SENIOR CITIZENS SERVICES OR FACILITIES, INCLUDING A SYSTEM OF HOME CARE THROUGH THE COUNCIL ON AGING OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDER(S) FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: HOUSEKEEPING, PERSONAL CARE, RESPITE SERVICES (FOR CAREGIVERS), HOME REPAIR/MAINTENANCE, MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION, ADULT DAY CARE, HOME DELIVERED MEALS, CHORE SERVICES, LEGAL COUNSELING, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT at a rate not exceeding one and twenty-nine hundredths (1.29) mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to twelve and nine-tenths cents ($0.129) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for five (5) years, commencing in 2012, first due in calendar year 2013. FOR THE TAX LEVY AGAINST THE TAX LEVY
The levy is for five years commencing in 2012, first due in 2013. The levy will produce an estimated annual revenue of $19,230,743.00 which will cost the owner of a $100,000.00* market value house $29.32, the same as currently paid. The Hamilton County Commissioners placed the levy on the ballot.
The County Commissioners retained a consultant to analyze use of the senior service levy fund during the current tax levy period of 2007-2012. The TLRC concurs with the consultant's observations: COA is a well-run organization that has sought to maximize the value of the levy. Of particular note during the last mid-levy period is COA's recognizing the impact of the local economy on tax revenues. Ending the current levy with a fund balance is due to the COA's adjusting the Program model and organization structure. TLRC prefers tightening eligibility standards to help alleviate financial pressure on the levy. TLRC recommends Veterans Services funding at a level of $205,000 annually with the remainder of the balance paid for from the County General Fund to minimize the burden on the Senior Services levy. TLRC recommends the County Commissioners place a Senior Services Levy on the 2012 ballot not to exceed the current 1.29 mills. TLRC reports are available at http://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/hc/bocc_tlrc.asp
This levy will produce funds for the Council on Aging (COA) which provides the vast amount of senior services supported through this levy. COA provides Hamilton County's Elderly Services Program (ESP) which makes direct use of the Senior Services levy in providing services for individuals not eligible to receive federal or state funded services. It helps seniors remain independent in their homes. The ESP is the core of the Senior Services levy which funds 93% of the program. Primary services provided include:
Hamilton County Jobs & Family Services (JFS) has received Senior Services levy funding related to the operation of the Adult Protective Services Program (APS). JFS provides state mandated adult protective services to those sixty years or older who are victims of abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation. APS investigates cases for persons over age 60 and refers to the COA for service provision. The case demand has remained relatively flat. Prior to 2008, APS received funding through a Memorandum of Understanding with the COA. After that, APS received levy funding directly. The COA is one of twelve Area Agencies on Aging in Ohio responsible for administering all federal and state aging funds within the southwestern region. Since 1993, the ESP has been funded with a property tax levy that has been renewed with millage increases every five years in response to growing numbers of the county's elderly population. In 2008, data indicated the demand for services would exceed available revenue in the remaining levy period. Appraised property values decreased nearly 10% in the 2010-2011 period alone. Reduced property values reduced the amount of revenue from the levy. COA made mid-levy changes to program model and organizational structure including the new eligibility requirement of "greater frailty". This has led to fewer eligible older adults being served and shorter stays on the program. Existing clients were "grandfathered". The changes resulted in a projected fund balance at the 2012 end of the levy. ESP is not a mandated program. COA requested a renewal levy. To the extent the proposed levy produces less revenue than projected need, changes will be required to service provision in order to eliminate any projected deficit, according to the consultant report. COA is committed to "living within our means".
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