With declining federal and state funds and a rapidly increasing population of older adults, communities are turning to senior services levies to support programs and services for older adults. In Southwestern Ohio we are fortunate to have senior services levies in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. More than 80 percent of Ohio’s 88 counties have levies that benefit seniors.
In our region, senior services levies are local property tax levies based on the fair market value of real estate. These levies support services for older adults including personal care, homemaker services, Meals on Wheels, transportation and respite/adult daycare. Levies are implemented through voter approval as a ballot issue and may be in effect for up to five years. The levy must then be renewed as a ballot initiative.
Council on Aging administers the Elderly Services Programs (funded by local senior services levies) in four area counties – Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren. Nearly 14,000 older adults receive care in their homes through this program.
Butler County Senior Services Tax Levy
The most recent senior services levy was passed by 77 percent of Butler County voters in November 2020. The levy was a renewal of the existing Senior Services Levy. It costs homeowners $39.81 a year per $100,000 in home valuation.
November 2015: 74.4 percent of voters approved a flat renewal of the 2010 1.3-mill levy.
November 2010: 65.9 percent of voters approved a 1.3-mill levy that generated about $10.8 million annually.
November 2005: With more than 900 Butler County older adults on a waiting list for services, Butler County commissioners decided to bring the levy before voters a year early. The 2-mill levy passed by a 54 percent margin and generated about $14.6 million annually.
November 2001: 57.5 percent of voters approved a renewal plus an increase (1.3-mills total) which generated a total of $7.9 million per year.
November 1996: The first Elderly Services Levy (1-mill) was approved by 58 percent of voters and generated $5 million per year.
For more information about the Elderly Services Levy and Program in Butler County, read the Butler County Elderly Services Annual Report.
Clinton County Senior Services Tax Levy
The most recent senior services levy was passed in November 2021 by 60 percent of voters. The 2.35-mill levy (renewal of existing 1.5 mill levy and an increase of .85 mills) will cost homeowners $64.28 per $100,000 of property value annually. Voters had not been asked to approve an increase in the levy since 2008. The increase was needed because revenue generated by the levy had been on the decline. Despite serving 34 percent more clients in 2019 than it did in 2008, the levy generated 6 percent less revenue over the same period. After another year of double-digit growth in ESP (11 percent in 2020), the program had reached the tipping point. As a result, Clinton County Commissioners decided to place the levy on the November 2021 ballot – a year earlier than planned.
November 2016: Nearly 76 percent of Clinton County voters approved a 1.5-mill levy (renewal). The levy generated about $1.3 million a year and costs property owners $37.67 annually per $100,000 of property value.
March 2012: Nearly 76 percent of Clinton County voters approved a 1.5-mill levy (renewal). The levy generated about $1.3 million a year to fund the Elderly Services Program.
November 2007: Nearly 70 percent of Clinton County voters approved a 1.5-mill tax levy to fund the Elderly Services Program.
May 2003: 70 percent of Clinton County voters approved a renewal levy.
May 1998: The first Elderly Services Levy was approved by 60 percent of voters in Clinton County and generated more than $2.4 million over five years.
For more information about the Elderly Services Levy and Program in Clinton County, read the Clinton County Elderly Services Annual Report.
Hamilton County Senior Services Tax Levy
The most recent senior services levy was passed in November 2022 by 77.8 percent of Hamilton County voters. The levy was a renewal and costs homeowners $33.97 annually per $100,000 in home value.
November 2017: 72 percent of Hamilton County voters approved a renewal plus a .31-mill (1.6-mill total) increase. The levy raised $25.65 million annually to fund the Hamilton County Elderly Services Program.
November 2012: 72 percent of Hamilton County voters approved a 1.29-mill senior services levy that raised about $19.3 million annually to fund the Hamilton County Elderly Services Program.
November 2007: Nearly 70 percent of Hamilton County voters approved a 1.29-mill tax levy to fund the Elderly Services Program. The levy was a renewal plus a .13-mill increase and raised about $21 million a year to help older adults stay safe and independent in their homes.
November 2002: Nearly 60 percent of county voters approved a 1.16 mill levy that generated $18.2 million a year for five years.
November 1997: More than 65 percent of Hamilton County voters approved a renewal levy with a .02 mill increase. The renewal levy generated $15 million a year for five years.
November 1992: The first Elderly Services Levy was approved by 57 percent of voters in Hamilton County. It generated $12.8 million a year for five years.
For more information about the Elderly Services Levy and Program in Hamilton County, read the Hamilton County Elderly Services Annual Report.
Warren County Senior Services Tax Levy
The most recent levy was passed November 2021 by 78 percent of voters. This approval rating is a record for senior service levies in Council on Aging’s service area. The levy was a renewal of the existing 1.21 mill levy. It costs homeowners $29.93 annually per $100,000 in home valuation.
November 2016: 75.76 percent of voters approve a 1.21-mill levy (renewal). The levy generates about $6 million annually and costs homeowners approximately $34.18 per $100,000 of property value annually.
November 2011: 72 percent of voters approved a 1.21-mill senior services levy renewal. The levy raises about $6 million annually at a cost to homeowners of $36.14 per year, per $100,000 of valuation.
November 2006: 55 percent of voters approved a 1.21-mill senior services tax levy in November 2006. Nearly 300 people were on a waiting list for services at the time. The levy raised $6 million a year for five years.
May 2002: The first Elderly Services levy is passed in Warren County by 60 percent of voters. The levy generated $3.9 million per year for five years.
For more information about the Elderly Services Levy and Program in Warren County, read the Warren County Elderly Services Annual Report.