Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Children Services Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clermont County commissioners request auditor certify renewal of children's services levy for Nov. 3 ballot
Summary
The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on July 8 adopted Resolution No. 109-26 asking the county auditor to certify a renewal 0.8-mill levy for children's protective services to appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; staff said renewal would preserve placement services only into next year unless additional revenue is approved.
The Clermont County Board of Commissioners voted July 8 to ask the county auditor to certify a renewal 0.8-mill property tax levy for children's protective services, a measure the board authorized to be placed on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
The vote implemented Resolution No. 109-26, which requests the auditor to certify the county's total current tax valuation and the dollar amount of revenue produced by a renewal levy of 0.8 mills (8 cents per $100 of valuation) for a five-year period with first collection in 2027. The clerk read the full resolution aloud before the board moved, seconded and approved the measure.
Why it mattered: County staff outlined three options for the levy ' a straight renewal, a renewal plus a 1.2-mill increase, or a new 0.8-mill levy ' and described the fiscal constraints facing children's services. The staff presentation warned that the department's reserves would be exhausted if additional revenue is not found. "We will be out of money to cover the placements of costs placement costs, in May of next year," the county speaker said during the presentation.
What the board approved: By adopting Resolution No. 109-26 the board formally requested the county auditor to compute and certify the revenue estimate for option 1, the 0.8-mill renewal, so the commissioners can place the renewal question before voters on the November general election ballot.
Discussion and context: County staff explained that a simple renewal would extend existing funding but might not cover rising placement costs over the longer term; staff recommended careful public education and monitoring of placement costs and state/federal funding developments. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timeline and alternatives; staff said a renewal would likely allow operations through November 2027 and that the county would reassess options if necessary.
Public comment and reaction: During the public comment period preceding the vote, resident Joseph Wagner told the board it was "out of touch" for cutting public speaking time and urged commissioners to listen to the public. No formal public objections to the levy question were recorded during the meeting.
Outcome and next steps: The resolution carried on the board's voice/roll-call vote; the clerk will forward the request to the county auditor for certification of revenue. If the auditor certifies the figures, the renewal will be placed on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot for voter consideration.
Provenance: This article is based on the commissioners' discussion and vote on item 27 (children's protective services levy) beginning with the agenda introduction and staff presentation and ending with the board's adoption of Resolution No. 109-26 at the July 8 meeting.
