VOTE411 Voter Guide

Issue 12: Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board (MHARS)An additional tax for the benefit of Butler County for the purpose of the operation of community mental health services providers and community addiction services providers and the acquisition, construction, renovation, financing, maintenance, and operation of mental health facilities and alcohol and drug addiction facilities by the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board, that the county auditor estimates will collect $6,612,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.5 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $18 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2025, first due in calendar year 2026.Background and Explanation: The Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board provides a range of critical services for individuals at all income levels in Butler county. This includes addiction recovery, counseling, housing, and job training.The Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board requires a 9-month reserve in order to operate. The first levy for Mental Health service in Butler County of .5 mill was passed in 1985. It was renewed in 2014, but was so the amount did not increase with inflation. The revenue is now worth only one-third of what it was when initiated.The old levy expires this year. The new ballot levy is asking for a replacement levy to meet the increased needs of the county. The previous levy generated $5 per $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value; the new levy will generate $18 per $100,000.Arguments for:A levy failure would mean a decline in services in Butler County related to addiction recovery, counseling, housing, and job training.Arguments against:Butler County property valuations increased over the last year, with a median increase of 37%, leading to significant increases in property taxes. Increases in property taxes tend to impact those on a fixed income the most.