County Issue 15 passes for Health and Human Services

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by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Cuyahoga County -- According to county officials, the passage of Issue 15 means programs supported by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and Human Services will not be cut.

"The community has expressed concern and compassion for individuals who have less than they do," said Dennis Madden, county administrator. "Cuyahoga County has shown it is willing to tax itself to keep these services."

According to final, but unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Issue 15 passed 234,023 votes (64.1 percent) to 131,096 (35.9 percent). A board official said March 5 it was not known when the vote counts would be certified.

Issue 15 is a 4.8-mill replacement levy that raises money for the Department of Health and Human Services. The levy will replace a 4.9-mill levy which will expire at the end of 2008.

Issue 15 will generate an additional $18.6 million annually and will cost the owner of a $100,000 house an additional $2 per month or $24 annually.

According to Lori McClung, a campaign manager for Issue 15, the levy currently brings in $137.9 million per year and costs the $100,000 homeowner $10.24 per month or about $123 annually.

Madden said the health and human services department would have been hurting financially if Issue 15 did not pass.

"Projections were showing a pattern of decreasing revenues beyond 2009," he said.

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3166