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Without health levy, local funds may be tapped
Without health levy, local funds may be tapped
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
The Geauga County Health District is seeking voters' approval for a 0.2-mill replacement levy on the November ballot.
The health district budget is feeling the effects of the poor economy, said Russell Trustee James Mueller, who is the township representative to the district.
Angie Grysho, who represents the health district levy to local townships, told Russell Trustees last week that the district uses the levy system to operate, rather than tapping into townships' funds.
She asked Russell Trustees to approve a resolution of support for the replacement levy. It will cost about $6.13 annually for each $100,000 of market valuation, Ms. Grysho said.
However, after discussion, two trustees decided not to issue a resolution they said would, in effect, be telling residents how to vote.
The health district normally receives income from septic-system inspections and permits, Mr. Mueller said, and they contribute to its budget. With construction is down, and, with it, fees for inspections and permits, if the health district cannot make up that income, it could tap into the townships' general funds, he said.
The Geauga County Health District never had to do that, but "it is in fairly bad straits, and there could be layoffs," Mr. Mueller said. "The district could take $35,000 right out of our general fund." In many counties, the health districts already do that, he said. "They are going to get money one way or another, from us or the levy."
Ms. Grysho said the health district has always had a strong relationship with township trustees in the county, and Geauga County voters have supported its levies.
The health district provides about 50 vital services, and they are well used in the county, Ms. Grysho said.
Russell Trustee James Dickinson said, while he might personally support the levy, he is opposed to taking a position as a board of trustees on any levy, be it school or county levy.
The health district does good work, and he supports the district, but "voters have to make up their own mind," he said. "I don't feel it is our role to speak for the whole township in supporting another governmental entity's levy," Mr. Dickinson said.
"I've always resisted it. Why are the three of us speaking for the entire township?" he asked. "I don't want to speak for the people of the township."
Trustee Kristina Port also said there is a need for the levy, but she questioned if it is the duty of the board of trustees to make such a resolution.
Ultimately, trustees did not vote on the resolution last week.
Ms. Port said she personally supports the levy and understands the health district's financial crunch. There are school, township and county levies, she said. If the board of trustees puts out a resolution of support, "it puts our opinion above the voters' opinion," she said.
"If the health district does a good job of marketing the levy, voters will support it," Ms. Port said. "We shouldn't tell voters how to vote. They have to educate themselves."
Mr. Mueller favored a resolution of support. He said he understands his fellow trustees' view, but added, "In this case, if the levy doesn't pass, it could cost us $35,000."
The district could skim the money off the inside 10 mills that the township receives from the state, Mr. Mueller said. Larger townships would lose more from their general funds, he said.
Most county health districts tap into inside millage, but a few, such as Geauga County, have operating levies and do not touch the townships' money, he said.
The health-district levy is justifiable, and the county has a high standard of health and human services, Mr. Mueller said. "I don't want it jeopardized in any way."
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