MANSFIELD — Richland Public Health Commissioner Julie Chaya said federal and state funding opportunities are becoming few and far between.
That’s why Chaya, along with RPH administrative coordinator Shannon Nelson, presented information about the department’s upcoming levy renewal to county commissioners Thursday morning.
“If for whatever reason, Richland Public Health receives little to no federal funding, as long as we have a local levy that’s helping to support us, I will do everything possible to make sure that we have other sources of revenue,” Chaya said.
Commissioners Cliff Mears and Darrell Banks both approved the second resolution to renew the levy — necessary to place the issue on the ballot in November. Commissioner Tony Vero was absent Thursday.
As a renewal, the levy would not cost local property owners additional taxes if approved by Richland County voters Nov. 4.
If renewed, the 10-year, 0.9-mill levy is estimated to generate $2,077,881 annually for the department. The levy currently costs property owners approximately $32 annually per each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.
The levy discussed Thursday is separate from Richland Public Health’s 10-year, half-mill levy, which was most recently renewed by voters in 2023.
“Having the opportunity to have the local community support their local health department is very important right now,” Chaya said.
This levy also supports the department’s quality of health services and helps keep the price of fees down when it comes to permits and licensing, she said.
“We have some of the lowest fees in the state to make sure that we are driving in developers and businesses and families that can afford to live a very rich life here in Richland County,” the health commissioner said.
Both Banks and Mears voiced their appreciation for the department.
“You do an amazing job, particularly the outreach that you folks do,” Mears said. “You’re just everywhere.”