By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The Clermont County Commissioners approved requests from Children’s Protective Services and the Mental Health and Recovery Board to put five-year renewal levies on the November ballot.

The commissioners made the decision during their meeting on July 8.

Voters will decide whether or not to renew the .8 mil levy for CPS and the .5 mil levy, with .25 mil increase, for MHRB.

“We’re not deciding whether or not to tax the voters,” said Commissioner Ed Humphrey. “We’re deciding to let the voters decide whether or not they want to tax themselves for these very necessary services.”

Now, the commissioners must approve a resolution of necessity and request the estimated levy collection amount from the Clermont County Auditor’s Office before filing a levy issue with the Clermont County Board of Elections. The board of elections’ filing deadline for the levy request is August. 5.

“Once the commissioners pass the resolution of necessity, I can distribute information that will show exact calculations for the costs and revenue generated by the levies,” said Clermont County Chief Deputy Auditor Chuck Tilbury.

The current MHRB levy, which has been in place since 1981, is set to expire December 31, 2016.

MHRB Executive Director Karen Sherra said MHRB needs the renewal with a .25 mil increase in order to fill the financial gap left by state budget cuts and to keep up with increased demand for services.

“We’re thrilled by the commissioners’ decision,” Sherra said. “This is what we needed. It gives us hope.”

CPS Director Judy Eshman said CPS works collaboratively with other agencies in the county to support families. She appreciates the support the commissioners have given CPS.

“They are big advocates of us and so is the community,” she said. “Everyone has been positive and supportive of the work we do.”

Sherra and Eshman both said they plan to form a committee to help with the campaign.

During the meeting, Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Dan Ottke also requested that the commissioners put two DD renewal levies on the November ballot. Commissioners Bob Proud and David Uible denied Ottke’s request and approved putting the DD’s renewal levies on the March 2016 ballot.

The commissioners also approved putting a Clermont County Senior Services levy on the March 2016 ballet, as requested by the organization.