Issue’s passage would remove township, municipality funding requirement
Logan County Health Commissioner Travis Irvan provided details at the Wednesday afternoon Board of Health meeting regarding the Logan County Health District’s proposed 1-mill operating levy that will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.
He said the board passed the required measures at their previous meetings this summer that declared the financial necessity for the levy. The issue then moved forward to the Logan County Commissioners and then to the Logan County Board of Elections to officially certify and place it on the ballot.
The 10-year levy would generate approximately $1.4 million per year for operating expenses for the agency.
Irvan related that the funding would enable the health district staff to be more proactive with health education and other programming and services in the community.
“The levy would help us improve lives and to champion a safe and healthy community. We would be able to focus on chronic disease prevention, along with data modernization, which would to increase efficiency; and it would help us to retain and recruit the best staff. “
This levy also would remove the health district inside millage funding burden that currently falls to each of the townships and municipalities in the county.
Currently, those entities contribute a total of $680,000 in inside millage each year that funds health district operations, with those funds appropriated through the county budget commission.
The levy would remove that funding requirement from the City of Bellefontaine, each of the villages and the townships.
Bellefontaine, for example, currently contributes $124,489.71 per year to this health district’s inside millage funding. Also among some of the largest inside millage contributions for the local villages in 2022 include: Russells Point, $17,202.89; West Liberty, $14,927.41; and DeGraff, $8,141.38.
Some of the largest township inside millage contributions this year, calculated by assessed valuation, include: Stokes Township, $94,882.11; Washington Township, $49,258.25; and Richland Township, $43,705.58.
“With the levy, we would be able to improve the health of our community, while at the same time, allowing for improved roads, bridges and parks, since the townships and municipalities would have these funds restored,” the health commissioner said.
The LCHD has not received operating levy funds since 2008, when a former operating levy expired. In 2007 and 2008, the agency attempted three times to pass a replacement levy, which failed to meet voter approval.
During the nursing report, Nursing Director Kelly Reaver reported about the recent back-to-school immunization clinic Aug. 4. and a variety of free resources that were offered for area children at the clinic, from hygiene items to socks, books and toothbrushes, which were donated by health district staff and community partners.
The free items continue to be available to children and their families attending immunization clinics and other activities at the health district, 310 S. Main St.
“We were able to do this last year as well, and it is sweet to see the kids’ eyes light up when they find out they get to take some goodies home with them,” Reaver said.
Back-to-school immunization clinics continue to be available throughout August from Monday through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only. Call (937) 651-6168 to make an appointment.
COVID-19 vaccine clinics also continue to be available, with walk-ins accepted from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and by appointment on Thursdays. The health district has vaccines available for ages 6 months and up through adult.
Reaver said COVID-19 cases remained steady during June, and the Logan County area saw a spike in cases during July. She related that fortunately, most cases involved mild illness and local emergency rooms and hospitals were not overwhelmed.
With the increase in cases, the nursing director also has observed an increase in the number of people receiving their COVID vaccines, including first-time individuals or those receiving booster vaccines. Several vaccine incentive gift cards are still available for those receiving their first dose, Irvan noted.
The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14.