By A. Kevin Corvo

Madison County voters will consider a renewal levy for the Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene, and Madison counties on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The 0.5-mill renewal levy would generate no new taxes.

Madison County voters last considered an MHRB levy 10 years ago, when approving the current levy.

While the MHRB oversees three counties, each county seeks a separate tax levy, and the revenue is kept separate for each county, according to Adam Kempf, director of operations for the MHRB of Clark, Greene, and Madison counties.

The levy will not have an issue number on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Only state issues have issue numbers on Ohio ballots this year, per a directive from the Ohio Secretary of State, according to the Madison County Board of Elections.

If approved, the MHRB renewal tax levy would cost a homeowner approximately $8 per $100,000 of property valuation, according to Kempf.

“It is important to know that this renewal will not raise taxes, but it is also important to know that MHRB is committed to being a good steward of public funds,” said Greta Mayer, CEO of the MHRB of Clark, Greene, and Madison counties.

The MHRB reaches about 350 Madison County families each year, as well as providing prevention programming, law enforcement crisis intervention, and other services.

The MHRB is the statutory authority responsible for the planning, funding, monitoring, and evaluation of publicly funded mental health and addiction prevention and treatment programs, according to a statement from the MHRB.

The existing levy generates about $470,000 annually for the MHRB. Additional state funding and matching grants allow the MHRB to balance an annual budget of approximately $1.1 million, Kempf said.

“All Madison County levy funds stay in Madison County or are used for Madison County residents,” Kempf said.

Mayer said she is hopeful and optimistic that Madison County residents will continue to show support.

A “Levy Launch Lunch” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 9, at London City Hall, 20 S. Walnut St., where yard signs and other materials promoting the levy will be available.

“We are fortunate to live in an area where voters understand we are committed to providing the very best recovery services for every person and every family. Now more than ever, our community knows you really can’t put a value on mental health. We are confident that this election will result in a positive outcome for our family, friends, and neighbors,” Mayer said.