Mircea Handru is Executive Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties. His wife Erica Platt-Handru and her mother Susie Platt have recently joined the Republican Central Committee.
Mircea spoke recently at the committee meeting to point out that it is very important to recognize that we currently have a mental health levy in Seneca County. But this levy will be terminated and we are unable to renew it. Thus, the word "additional tax" on the ballot - we are asking the community for a new mental health levy to begin January 1, 2018. There will NOT be two simultaneously levies. One will be discontinued December 31, 2017, while the other one will begin January 1, 2018. The current 0.8 mill levy will be discontinued. The new levy is a 0.7 mill.
The current 0.8 mill levy has been in effect since 2008;
The current 0.8 mill levy will be expiring. Ohio Department of Taxation does not allow the Board to renew the current levy;
The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties is asking for a new 0.7 mill levy to support the continuation of critical mental health services for youth, adults, elderly, veterans and first responders;
This new levy is for Seneca County residents only;
This 0.7 mill levy will cost a $100,000 home owner about $2.04 per month;
Services that are currently funded by levy funds include: o Mental health in-school counseling;
24/7 emergency crisis services;
Individual and group therapy;
Education and training for law enforcement and first responders;
Suicide Prevention services;
Mental health and trauma services at the Juvenile Detention Center;
Youth mentoring program;
Loss and grief support programs.
Without the passage of this levy, the above services are at-risk of being discontinued.
