Senior services tax levy to be a renewal

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WILMINGTON — Commissioners are opting for a renewal senior services levy on the fall 2016 ballot.

Previously the county commissioners office started the process to place a senior services levy on the ballot, but had not decided whether the tax levy issue would be a renewal levy, a replacement levy, or something additional.

Commissioners on Monday asked the county auditor to determine the total current valuation of Clinton County and the amount of revenue that would be generated by a 1.5-mills renewal tax levy.

Basically, a renewal levy simply renews a tax for an extended period of time, with no additional effect on taxes.

In March 2012, nearly 76 percent of Clinton County voters approved a renewal of the county’s 1.5-mills tax levy to fund the local Elderly Services Program.

Following the Monday meeting with the county’s legal counsel, Andrew McCoy of the county prosecutor’s office, and Clinton County Auditor Terry Habermehl, Blanchester-area resident Shirley McVey made a public records request for information about the existing and the most recent prior senior services levies.

Later in the day, McVey said she wants information “as to revenue, expenses, balance sheet, board meetings.” She plans to also request public information from Clinton County Community Action.

Commissioners also this week approved giving $2,500 to Sabina to aid in non-personnel, start-up costs for the village’s swimming pool.

Commissioners Kerry R. Steed and Patrick Haley said they didn’t want to grant money for operational costs, including labor. Steed added, “It’s all infrastructure costs.”

Commissioner Mike Curry said, “That also gets us to the place where we’re not just totally funding it, they have to provide the match money,” said Curry.

Sabina Mayor Dean Hawk presented a document detailing more than $7,000 in costs, though he asked for $5,000.

The funds will come from more than $35,000 in interest raised from money that remained from the operations of then-county owned Clinton Memorial Hospital.

The commissioners are expected to entrust $3 million in such dollars to the Clinton County Foundation, pending the drafting of a donor agreement. The Foundation can more aggressively seek interest earnings than the county, commissioners have said, and the commissioners’ intent is to use the money for public safety, health and welfare.

In other business, commissioners:

Approved spending less than $15,000 to install two new flag poles to replace the ones at the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office and the Clinton County Courthouse.

Agreed to hold a public hearing on Monday, May 2 at 10 a.m. for public comments related to the Community Housing Impact and Preservation grant program.

Spoke in favor of having two employees from the Clinton County Job and Family Services’ summer youth program.

Met in executive session to discuss the appointment of a public official.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768, and Nathan Kraatz at 937-382-2574 ext. 2510.

From foreground to background at the courthouse are Clinton County Auditor Terry Habermehl, Blanchester-area resident Shirley McVey and Board of County Commissioners Clerk Diana L. Groves, partly hidden.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/04/web1_haber_mcvey_p_f.jpgFrom foreground to background at the courthouse are Clinton County Auditor Terry Habermehl, Blanchester-area resident Shirley McVey and Board of County Commissioners Clerk Diana L. Groves, partly hidden.

Clinton County’s legal counsel, Andrew McCoy of the county prosecutor’s office, advises county commissioners about the required steps to put a senior services renewal levy on this November’s ballot.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/04/web1_mccoy_p_f.jpgClinton County’s legal counsel, Andrew McCoy of the county prosecutor’s office, advises county commissioners about the required steps to put a senior services renewal levy on this November’s ballot.

By Gary Huffenberger

and Nathan Kraatz

Staff Writers

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