Voters say yes to mental health levy
The board expected the levy to pass, according to (name), as it has in the 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.
Editor’s note: This story was produced by Miami University journalism students Carleigh Wissel and Cassidy Gordon in partnership with The Oxford Free Press. Election results are unofficial as of press time on Nov. 4.
The Mental Health Addiction & Recovery Services (MHARS) Board levy passed with 60.85% in favor and 39.15% opposed.
This was a renewal of an existing levy and is expected to generate $8.5 million annually over the next ten years, helping to fund mental health resources, addiction recovery and prevention programs across the county.
The board expected the levy to pass as it has in the 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.
Some members of the MHARS Board worried voters wouldn’t realize this was a renewal levy, not a new levy, so their taxes would not change. Many of the advertisements in favor of the levy included the phrase “no tax increase” to appeal to voters.
If the levy failed, the board would have had to consider cutting services.
