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MARIETTA -- Washington County voters will decide in the upcoming election whether to renew a levy expected to generate about $815,668 annually for mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery programs.
The five-year renewal would support services for children, adolescents and adults at risk for mental illness and substance use disorders, according to the ballot language.
The proposed levy is at a rate not exceeding 0.5 mill, with an estimated annual cost of $18 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's market value. It would begin in 2027, with the first payment due in calendar year 2028.
The Washington County Behavioral Health Board's website describes the proposal as a renewal of the existing levy and says it would not increase taxes.
Levy revenue supports local mental health and addiction services, including prevention and education, treatment, recovery support, crisis response and programs connecting residents with care, according to the website.
The board says no levy money is spent on its administration of those services or programs.
If the renewal fails, services and programs would be reduced, according to the website. Programs most reliant on levy revenue include financial assistance for treatment, youth and school-based services, training and workforce development initiatives, and recovery support.
The website does not identify specific reductions or amounts that would be cut.
In explaining the need for continued funding, the board says local services help residents access care close to home and assist families and caregivers navigating mental health and substance use challenges.
The board also says access to care can help address problems before they become crises, reducing pressure on law enforcement, schools, hospitals, courts and first responders.
"Levy-supported services also help families, schools, law enforcement, courts and communities throughout Washington County," the website states.
The board describes the funding as supporting services throughout the county, including Marietta, Belpre, Beverly, Lowell, New Matamoras, Macksburg and Waterford.
The Washington County Behavioral Health Board was unavailable for comment.