MANSFIELD — The future of Richland Public Health became a bit more secure Tuesday night.
County voters approved its 0.9-mill property tax renewal, which generates $2,077,881 each year and will remain in effect for a 10-year period. The cost for Richland County property owners is $32 per each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value.
As a renewal, the cost level for property owners did not increase.
According to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections, 9,933 voters (58.48 percent) cast their ballot in favor of the measure, while 7,052 (41.52 percent) voted against it.
“We are deeply grateful to the voters of Richland County for their continued trust and support in renewing this levy,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Chaya. “Your vote of confidence allows us to sustain our mission of protecting and improving the health of our community.”
The renewal supports a wide range of public health services across the county. Those services include environmental health programs, nursing, health education and the county’s vaccine clinic.
It also helps keep public health service fees affordable, Chaya said previously.
“This renewal ensures that Richland Public Health can continue operating effectively for the next 10 years, maintaining more than 100 essential programs and services that benefit individuals and families across the county,” she said.
“This funding also allows us to keep our fees low, making Richland County an even more attractive place for new businesses, developers, and residents to call home. We are honored by the community’s support and look forward to continuing to serve and expand public health opportunities for everyone in Richland County.”
