“We believe a renewal will be sufficient for the next 10 years,” Health Commissioner Duane Stansbury said. “We’re not going to ask for something when our finances don’t show we need to do it.”
On Tuesday, the Warren County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved placing the renewal on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The commissioners voted after a presentation by Stansbury during their weekly meeting.
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The levy comprises about 19 percent of the district’s annual budget, according to the 2018 annual report.
The health department manages public health and environmental programs, vital statistics, plumbing inspections, health education and clinical services.
It operates primarily from offices in Lebanon at 416 S. East St., but collaborates with mental health officials in supporting a primary care clinic at 975 Kingsview Dr.
By opting for another renewal rather than replacement, Warren County Auditor Matt Nolan said taxpayers would pay about $5 less per $100,000 in property value. The assessment would be $17.50 per $100,000 in value from a replacement, mostly because of the elimination of a property tax rollback by the state, Nolan said.
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“Due to a change in the law back in 2012, any levies that are replaced lose the full amount of the 12.5 percent rollbacks,” Nolan said in an email.
Commissioner Tom Grossmann said the renewal also capped the amount paid by property owners, assuming property values at least remain steady.
This is the first issue for the fall ballot in Warren County.
The deadline for filing for issues is 4 p.m. Aug. 7.
Deadlines vary for candidates, with most also on Aug. 7, but others as late as Aug. 22.
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