Erie County commissioners declare necessity for 0.2-mill health levy renewal; one commissioner objects

Erie County commissioners voted on June 1, 2026 to declare the necessity of renewing a 0.2-mill property-tax levy for the Erie County General Health District, a procedural step that asks the Erie County Auditor to certify the likely revenue under Ohio law.

Commission President Shenigo and Commissioner Shoffner voted in favor; Commissioner Old voted no. The declaration instructs the auditor to provide a certification of the tax yield in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.03 as part of placing the renewal on a future ballot. The motion is recorded as Resolution #26-150.

County Administrator Hank Solowiej told the Board that the Health Department ended 2025 with approximately $5 million in carryover funds and that the department spent down about $1 million during 2025. Solowiej said the levy request, as presented by Health Commissioner Pete Schade to the Board, is projected to generate approximately $500,000 annually.

Commissioner Old said he could not support the declaration given the department’s carryover balance and the current level of property taxes, stating that the department should delay seeking additional taxpayer funding. The transcript records Old’s expressed opposition; no motion to amend or table the declaration was made and there was no recorded floor debate that changed the vote.

Next steps under the resolution direct the Erie County Auditor to certify the estimated revenue the levy would raise, a required step under ORC 5705.03 before the levy can be formally placed on a ballot.