VOTE411 Voter Guide

Issue 46, if approved, will renew a 1.9 mill property tax levy, and add an additional 0.6 mill, for a total of 2.5 mill levy, providing funds for Franklin County Children Services. (FCCS)League ExplanationThe proposed 10-year levy will increase property taxes for homeowners, for a total cost of $53 per $100,000 of valuation. If approved, Franklin County property owners will see an 18.6% increase in what they currently pay to support FCCS.Issue #46 includes a renewal of an existing an existing 10-year levy last approved at 1.9 mills in 2014. Due to property value inflation over the last decade, the current is only collecting at a rate of of 0.919 mills. That levy currently generates $28 per year per $100,000 of property value, and would continue doing so for another decade if voters approved the plan. The additional 0.6 mill levy, will collect an additional $2 on each $100,000 of appraised property value per year.FCCS is funded with two staggered 10-year levies, the other one, a 3.1-mill allocation that was last approved in 2019. These two levies represent 72% of the total FCCS revenue. FCCS has not requested an increase in millage for over 20 years.Arguments Made in Support of Issue 46FCCS intervenes and provides vital services to children at a time in their development that not only benefits them and their families but also benefits the community long term. It annually handles 26,000 cases involving children and their families in abuse, neglect and dependency situations. Last year, FCCS received 27,557 calls and referrals to the Franklin County Child Abuse Hotline. The cost of placement has increased 24% over the past three years, due to the growing complexity of care needed for the children served.Arguments Made in Opposition to Issue 46Property taxes are a burden for people on fixed incomes. A better approach would be for the state to replace the FCCS property tax with an increase in state funding.