TOLEDO, Ohio — Mental health and drug addiction plague American cities and the Toledo area also struggles with these issues.
To manage increasing demand for services, Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services is asking voters to approve a new, 1-mill property tax levy.
The new levy will replace the agency's former property tax levy of 0.5 mills.
"You know, it's hard to imagine a house, neighborhood, or community that hasn't been impacted by addiction or mental health in Toledo or Lucas County," Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Executive Director Scott Sylak said.
The levy will cost a property owner $35 for every $100,000 in valuation. It is expected to generate about $9 million a year in revenue.
The agency will use the levy money for expanded services to meet an increasing demand, Sylak said.
"We know there is an increased need for youth and older adults to provide better services within our correction system for people with behavioral health needs," Sylak said. "The new funds generated with the passing of Issue 8 will go directly to improving those systems."
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