October 28, 2004

EDITORIAL

Support Greene County levies

The Nov. 2 ballot will include two county tax levies that deserve support because of the valuable services both initiatives would provide Greene County residents.

Issue 26, the Mental Retardation Services Levy, is a five-year, 3.5-mill levy that would provide nearly $10.84 million annually for the Greene County Board of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities. The MRDD board is seeking to replace its existing 2.25-mill levy and add to it another 1.25 mills. The levy would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 a total of $107 a year.

Funds from the levy would provide nearly 86 percent of the agency’s projected total budget, according to campaign information provided by the MRDD board. Levy funds also are used to secure matching dollars from the federal government. Clearly, without this funding the MRDD board cannot do its important job.

And the board’s responsibilities — and the demands for its services — are growing. For instance, according to information provided by the levy campaign, in the 1970s and 1980s, the board provided the majority of its services in two locations in Xenia. Today, services are provided in more than 200 locations throughout Greene County. In 1999, the board met 1,248 individual services requests, while in 2003, that number increased to approximately 2,100.

The MRDD board provides a number of services in Greene County, including an early intervention program for infants and toddlers; training and employment services; home care; an adult day care facility; recreational programs; transportation; and occupational, physical and speech therapy. Additional funds from the MRDD levy would help the agency meet the increasing call for services.

Issue 27 is a seven-year, 0.5-mill replacement levy for Greene Memorial Hospital. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay just $15 a year in property taxes under this levy. The levy would generate $1.53 million a year for the nonprofit hospital system. The levy brings in 2 to 2.5 percent of the hospital’s income, which Mike Stephens, the president and CEO of Greene Health Partners, said makes a “huge difference” for GMH and allows the hospital to invest in new, updated equipment.

Funds from the levy would be used to support services at the Beavercreek HealthPark, Fairborn Community Medical Center, Bellbrook Urgent Care and the Yellow Springs Family Health Center. In addition, levy dollars will contribute to health care services that include the Emergency and Trauma Center, cancer treatment, cardiology, radiology and surgery equipment.

Both Greene Memorial Hospital and the Greene County Board of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities provide needed and compassionate care to the Greene County community. Voters should continue to support both agencies and their worthwhile work.

—Robert Mihalek