MHAS plans renewal levy

NORWALK — The Huron County Mental Health and Addiction Services, or MHAS, board announced it intends to have a levy on the November ballot that will include "no new taxes" for residents. MHAS interim Director Mircea Handru made the announcement at Tuesday's Huron County commission meeting. The MHAS board passed a resolution Monday to recommend a 10-year, 0.5 mil levy be placed on the November ballot. Last May's election saw voters fail to pass a 10-year, .5-mill replacement and a .6-mill increase levy. The board said it placed that levy on the ballot in an effort to both sustain and expand services, according to a news release from the agency. The MHAS board analyzed current mental health and substance use services in Huron County, along with the gaps that still exist. "While MHAS was disappointed by the outcome, the board has taken residents' feedback seriously and has begun carefully reviewing internal operations to identify where adjustments can be made," Handru said. The board claims it has done an internal review of expenditures and will attempt to keep service levels at the same point they are now. "We heard and respect the residents of Huron County," Handru said. "Internally, we are reviewing all fiscal practices to ensure we are being responsible with the funding we currently have. We are committed to doing everything we can to sustain current services without increasing taxes." The first step to getting the proposal on the ballot was finished Tuesday when the Huron County Prosecutor's Office presented a resolution to the county commission. That resolution was approved by the commission and will be passed on to the Huron County Auditor's Office for certification. Once the Auditor prepares a certificate of valuation, the prosecutor's office will prepare another resolution called a "resolution of intent" which will clear the path for the levy to be placed on the ballot. Commissioner Brad Mesenburg told the commission he approves of the changes Handru is making with the board. "I think we're moving in a good direction with that board," Mesenburg said. Handru wants residents to consider that the new levy will have no tax increase to taxpayers, even if tax valuations rise. The board would be collecting the same amount it has for "30 years." "It was a very smart and important decision by our board to unanimously support a straight renewal," Handru said. "We are incredibly grateful for the support the community has given us for the past 30 years, and we are simply asking for that same continued support. We remain committed to serving the residents of Huron County and to saving costs through internal changes, not by asking residents for more."