Mahoning County commissioners request auditor certification to renew 1‑mill senior services levy

Mahoning County commissioners voted Thursday to request certification from the county auditor so voters can decide a renewal of an existing 1‑mill senior services levy on the November ballot. Jen from the county OMB introduced the resolution and Joe, representing Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, presented details of services the levy supports. The levy renewal would allow Direction Home to continue administering funds that, the presentation said, have supported 835,000 home‑delivered meals and more than 385,000 personal care hours, plus minor home modifications, emergency response systems and protective services. Joe told commissioners the levy sustains 55 local service providers that deliver transportation, senior farmers market programs and other supports for residents age 60 and older. Commissioners characterized the levy as critical for keeping older residents safe and in their homes. A motion to place the renewal request before the auditor and to move the resolution forward passed on a roll call vote. The presentation said the county has previously approved the measure (in 2016) and renewed it in 2020; supporters asked that it be placed on the November ballot so current services can continue. The commissioners did not provide additional program changes during the meeting; proponents stressed the levy is a renewal of an existing 1‑mill tax and urged voters to preserve the service network. No final campaign language or ballot timing beyond the request for auditor certification was provided at the meeting.