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Lorain County Health District seeks renewal of 0.5-mill levy, cites overdose and community programs
Summary
Health Commissioner Mark Adams asked the Board to renew a 0.5-mill levy that funds one-third of Lorain County Public Health, highlighting Narcan distribution ("which dropped our overdoses by 50%"), school nursing, WIC and Healthy Places grants. The levy renewal would not increase the rate and is scheduled for a June 16 resolution.
Mark Adams, health commissioner for the Lorain County Health District, urged the Board on June 5 to renew the district's 0.5-mill levy, describing it as a steady funding source that supports inspections, vaccinations, school nurses and community health grants.
Adams said the district's funding mix is approximately 33% local levy, 31% grants, 29% fees and 7% reimbursements and noted the renewal levy "has been the same for the last 10 years." He listed specific services funded by the levy and other revenue: restaurant and water inspections, immunization clinics, a school nursing program, vector control and 73 Healthy Places Grants projects since 2015.
Adams credited a Narcan distribution and outreach effort with sharply reducing overdoses, saying the team went "door to door, educating people and distributing Narcan, which dropped our overdoses by 50%." He also described a Tick Tracker that allows residents to submit ticks for rapid identification and highlighted a low-cost prescription program that staff said saved local families about $525,000.
Commissioner Jeff Riddell asked about WIC eligibility; Adams replied WIC refers to Women, Infants and Children. Commissioner David J. Moore said the board will consider a levy resolution at its June 16 meeting. Adams provided a public contact phone number (440-322-6367) and the health district website (www.loraincountyhealth.com) for residents with questions.
The presentation framed the levy as a stable, long-standing local funding source the health district uses to invest in prevention and community-level improvements such as safer sidewalks, playgrounds and hydration stations.
