Human services levy renewal headed to Montgomery County ballot

Montgomery County Commissioners on Tuesday approved putting a renewal levy on the November ballot that raises nearly $56 million annually for health, human and social services.

Voters will be asked to renew the 8-year, 6.03 mill human services levy, which would leave the tax at the current level.

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The levy primarily funds the work of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, Children Services, Developmental Disabilities Services, and Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County as well as senior services, health care for uninsured individuals and other social services.

“For over 50,000 children, families and seniors in Montgomery County, these services are vital,” said Commissioner Judy Dodge.

Without the levy funds, citizens in every community of the county would see a drastic reduction in services, she said.

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If county voters this November pass the eight-year renewal levy, known as Levy B, the owner of a home valued at $100,000 would continue to pay about $185 per year in property tax.

Voters in November 2014 approved a renewal measure for Levy A that added an additional 1 mill. Levy A was expected to generate about $73 million in 2015.

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The county’s Human Services Levy Council made up of business leaders, financial experts and citizen volunteers scrutinize the spending of funds, said Commissioner Dan Foley.

“We are committed to ensuring these tax dollars are spent responsibly so that we can continue to provide quality services to the most vulnerable in our community,” Foley said.

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