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Episode 35 — Millage explained and Clermont Mental Health and Recovery Board levy renewal

We start the episode with a light refresher and explanation on Ohio property taxes. What a “mill” actually is, inside vs. outside millage, the HB 920 reduction factors, the 20-mill school floor, and how levy types (additional / renewal / replacement) really hit your bill.

Then, a conversation with Lee Ann Watson, Executive Director of the Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board, on what the Board funds, why the  renewal is on the ballot, and a look ahead to a 24/7 crisis receiving center.

Highlights

• “Mill” math made simple
• Inside (unvoted, capped at 10 mills) vs. outside (voted) millage
• Why HB 920 makes effective rates drop as values rise (and the key exceptions)
• School 20-mill floor explained
• Additional vs. renewal vs. replacement levies
• What the Board funds: safety-net care, school-based services, crisis line & mobile response, MAT, suicide-prevention, CIT training
• Renewal details: 0.75 mill, “no new taxes,” ~one-third of system funding; revenue based on 2015 values
• Trends since 2020: more youth crisis calls, rising anxiety/depression; stimulant misuse up; ongoing Narcan access
• Parent notes: red-flag behavior changes and where to start for help
• Coming soon: 24/7 crisis receiving center (urgent-care style for behavioral health)

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[00:00:11] Unknown:

We've been living in it since so long.   All   Welcome to episode 35   of Let's Talk Claremont. I am your host, Patrick,   and thank you so much for tuning in. I'm really happy that you're here listening.   I'm also still happy that it's fall and even happier that it's almost Halloween.   It might be one of my favorite holidays, and I don't know why. I think maybe just dressing up is fun.   This year, I think our I will be going as a bear. We got a adult   size onesie, which I'm normally against onesies. I don't   I don't, advocate for onesies, but   this is a pretty comfortable onesie.  

Our daughter, Olive, I think she's gonna be a reindeer, and then our son, Dominic,   he'll be a raccoon,   And I believe our newest the newest addition to the Ventrella family, Vincent, Vinny.   I think he's gonna be a squirrel. And our our wife, Katie, she might be a park ranger, so   I'm really excited about it. It should be a really fun fun time to go trick or treating and and all of that fun stuff. So I hope you're in a good mood. I hope you're excited for Halloween,   and, let's get into it.   Now if you're new, because we've been drawn in more listeners with all of the candidate interviews and and interviews with people who have levies on the ballot, If you're new here, this is a little bit of a different episode. Normally, we'd go over some news from around the county, then we'd get into our interview, and then we'd go over some events that are going on around the county. But because we're doing more than one episode a week, there's not really a whole lot of news to cover between, you know, episodes. Not a lot happens in a day.   And   even if it does, you know, how much of it is worth talking about, really?  

So   what we've been doing is we've been going back and looking at some of the the state legislation   that we've previously talked about, and we're gonna kinda do that today. Kind of.   In in all honesty, I've run out of legislation to talk about because it turns out we really didn't talk about that that many in the past.   But   I want to go over property tax, millage, and types of levies again.   We've done it in a couple different episodes, but I kinda wanted to pull it together because it can get really confusing. And, frankly, putting together my notes for this episode,   I'm still a little confused. And I'll make this ask again later on in the intro.  

But if you or somebody you know   is an expert in property tax and millage and, you know, local   things like that,   please let me know.   Because I would love to get somebody on here that knows this stuff back in backwards and forwards,   just so, you know, we can all get a better understanding of how we're taxed.   I think that's important.   But I think I did an alright job. So   let's get into it, and we're gonna start with mills.   So if you've listened to previous,   the previous Levy episode for CPS,   we talked about mills there, and we've talked about, you know, that term gets thrown around a lot, mills.   So what are they?  

In the most basic sense, it is a way to calculate taxes, and one mill equals $1   per $1,000   $1,000   of taxable property value. And we'll get into taxable property value in in a bit. But another way to put this is one mill   is a point $0.00   1¢   tax or one 1 thousandth of a dollar tax   on every dollar of your prop taxable   property value.   Now, why do I say taxable property value?   Well, Ohio   calculates   property value for tax purposes. It it's not just the value the appraised value of your property.   What the county auditors do is they look at your property, they appraise it, or there's a market value for your property,   and then Ohio taxes 35%   of that value.  

So that would be the taxable value. And I'll give you an example calculation. Hopefully, this is easy. The math isn't my strong suit either, but   it might be yours. I can I don't wanna assume you're not good at math? But,   hopefully, this calculation is easy to follow along.   So let's say your home is appraised at $250,000.   The state would then calculate   35%   of that, which is $87,500.   That's the taxable value of your property.   Now, the millage   would then be applied   to the $87,500   number.   So, one mill of tax on a $250,000   piece of property or a home   would be point zero zero one times   87,500,   which comes out to equal   $87.50.  

So that's that's how we're calculating   our property tax in Ohio.   Now let's talk a little bit more about millage. There are two types of millage. And for all intents and purposes, when I say millage, you can kind   of equate that to tax in your mind.   So millage is essentially the same thing as tax. It's just how we calculate that tax. So there are two types of millage. There's inside millage   and outside millage.   Inside millage   is the amount of tax that overlapping jurisdictions, and and we'll talk about overlapping jurisdictions, but those are counties, townships, city, schools.   The it's the amount of tax that those,   I   guess, entities   can levy   without us voting on it. So that's what inside millage is. And just to pull apart overlapping jurisdictions a little bit,   you live in several taxing districts like the county. We all live in the county.  

You live in, I'm assuming, either a village or a township or a city, and you live in a school district. So all of those taxing districts   overlap your property. So what happens is is the county budget commission   allocates inside millage and keeps each district within legal limits.   And I'll let you know what those legal limits are. By statute, it adjust rates so that the total taxes,   and this is total inside millage,   on a piece of property   stay within 10 mills. So the cap, the most,   any jurisdiction,   or I guess a combined jurisdictions,   can tax your property without us voting on it is 10 mills.  

Or another way to look at that   is 1%   of total taxable   value.   Property value, that is.   So they look at all of these taxing districts.   They tax us one ten mills,   and then they divvy up that that tax amongst all of these taxing districts. And to be honest with you, I'm not really sure how they divvy up the taxes amongst the different taxing authorities.   I don't wanna get too much in the weeds with all of this, so I think we'll just keep that for another day.   So that's inside millage, and we'll just recap that real quick. We do not vote on inside millage.   Inside millage is capped at 10 mills or 1%   of the taxable value of your property.  

So that's what inside millage is.   Outside millage. This is anything above the 10 mill cap, and it has to be voted on.   And that's pretty much it. So all of these levies and and that we've been talking about, that's all considered outside millage.   Or another way again to think about millage is tax. Taxes.   So without doing anything,   you have a 10 mil tax on your property.   And then you've got the additional taxes from all the levies.   Then there's also different classes of property, and they calculate reduction factors for these classes separately. But, again, this is probably best for another day.   I don't wanna get too bogged down with, you know, crazy details, so we'll just keep pushing through.  

Now outside millage reduces. And we've talked about this in previous episodes, but I think it's good to to kinda keep talking about it because it's you you probably have to I've had to read about it and and learn about it a couple times before it really sinks in.   But this is only for outside millage.   And like we've talked about, your effective millage rate   decreases over time, and that is thanks to house bill nine twenty, which was passed in the seventies. So what this does is it it keeps all outside millage, which is any levy we voted on at the same revenue amount. So as the value of your property increases,   the effective outside millage rate will lessen,   but the revenue from the levy   will remain consistent.  

There are, however, some property taxes that are exempt from millage reduction,   first and foremost, would be inside mills. So that 10 mill or 1% of the taxable value of your property that is just levied without us voting,   that does not   go up or down. Well, I mean, it goes up as your property values increase, but it does not degrade. House bill nine twenty   leaves inside millage alone.   There are also municipal charter levies. This is a tax authority granted to a city, so not a township or a village,   specifically a city   through its own charter that allows it to impose property taxes   beyond the state mandated limit.  

There's also debt service millage, and this is a specific property tax rate used to pay off the principal and interest on a government or school district's bonded   debt. It's a dedicated tax levy on property owners to repay bonds or notes,   which are often issued to fund, like, large capital projects. So that'd be like building a new school or building public facilities.   Those do their millage does not decrease,   as your property value increases.   And lastly, there's a fixed sum levy. This is a property tax, and it's used by local governments like school districts,   that generate a specific predetermined amount of money. So these are things like emergency school levies, substitute school levies, or combined issues that'll pair a school income tax with a property tax for a specified amount. So none of those are subject to tax reduction factors of h b nine twenty, which is why your property taxes increase as your prop property value increases.  

Your outside millage should not increase, but your inside millage and if you are taxed on any of those other,   those other things, those will increase as your property value   increases.   Alright. So this is probably a good place to talk about schools.   Schools have a 20 mil floor.   And another way to think about this is a 2%   tax on the taxable value of your property. So in Ohio,   all school districts   have a 20 mil minimum   for their operating current expenses   millage.   So that means for every school district, outside and inside millage   must equal 20 mills. Again, that is 2% of the taxable value of your property.  

So since inside millage can't really change,   the tax commissioner is gonna look at the inside and outside millage to determine if the minimum has been met for the school district.   If not, they actually relax h p nine twenty reduction factors until the sum reaches 20 mils.   Again, this is all complicated, and we're not gonna get into the weeds with this one, but that that's just good to know.   So if you if you stuck with me through this,   we'll just briefly go again go over again the types of levies. And this is gonna be outside millage levies, and these levies are all going to be subject to h p nine twenty reduction factors. So all of these types of levies,   your   effective millage rate will decrease over time,   but the revenue for whatever levy it is will remain consistent.  

And, again, we've talked about this, but especially since today is a levy episode,   I think it just warrants another quick reminder.   And and I'll probably talk about this on Thursday too because we've got another levy,   a levy interview on Thursday. But three types of levies in Ohio.   They're all gonna be fixed rate levies, like I said, and that means that they are subject to millage reduction from h p nine twenty. So there is an additional levy. This is a brand new levy.   It's voted on. It's a property tax, and it is outside   the 10 mil unvoted limit as these all are.  

There is a renewal levy.   So this continues in expiring levy at today's effective rate, not the original gross millage rate when it was first levied.   So   let's say you had   an 8 mil tax   from a levy from something or other,   and this was in 2015.   Over time, as your property increases, your effective mills will decrease   so that the revenue from that levy remains consistent.   Hopefully, I'm not beating a dead horse here. But but this one's important because today, we're talking with Leanne Watson about the mental health recovery board levy, which is a renewal levy. And that's why you see on their signs no new taxes. That's because it's re I'm sorry. It's renewing   at the effective millage rate. So your tax bill will not increase if the health the mental health recovery board levy passes.  

And this is very similar to the CPS levy.   And that interview was last week. If you didn't listen to that, I'd give it a listen.   The difference being that the CPS levy adds a slight millage increase to the effective   to the effective tax rate,   which is still below   the original millage rate. And that's why they didn't do the next kind of levy, which is a replacement levy.   A replacement levy takes an existing fixed rate levy that has been reduced by house bill nine twenty and restores it at its original voted millage   on today's property values.  

So   assuming your property has increased in value,   your taxes will go up with a replacement levy.   And then after that replacement levy has been passed, it is still, again, subject to reduction   per h b nine twenty.   So I hope you hung in there for that. I know it it's probably a little dry,   but I think it's very important that we understand   how this all works because, you know, you'll hear a lot of you'll hear millage thrown around around a lot. You'll hear inside millage, outside millage, effective millage rate. You're gonna hear all these terms thrown around a lot.   And, I think we just, you know, we all need to know what we're talking about.  

So thank you for hanging in there for that. And as a note, I'm I'm not an expert in any of this.   But if you or someone you know is,   please let me know.   I would really like to do it would   I don't know. I don't know how entertaining it would be, but I would love to interview somebody that that really knows this stuff,   so that we can all really understand   how we're being taxed, especially property taxes. How we're being taxed on our property, and how all of this works.   So, like I said, if you know someone,   that that knows this stuff really well, let me know.  

Alright. That's all we got. And, unfortunately, we don't have any any producers to thank for donations.   No worries. Hopefully, we'll get some either tomorrow   or, and, actually, I'm gonna record   tomorrow's episode today. I'm getting all my days wacky. I'm gonna record tomorrow's episode today. So if you do donate and I don't thank you on Wednesday's episode, trust me, I'll get you on Thursday's episode. I'm just trying to get these recorded so I can free up some of my time, frankly.   But, hopefully, we'll get some donations coming in. And if you are new, you might be wondering why I'm talking about producers donating,   and I'm talking about that because we're a value for value podcast.  

And I chose to do this model because I wanna be accountable to the listeners. I like to call them producers because they help produce this show. And I don't wanna be, you know, held accountable to advertisers   or investors or anything like that.   I want this to be a completely independent podcast, a listener supported podcast,   and that's why we do value for value. So what does that mean?   It just means if you find value in in in what I'm doing and what we're doing here, we just ask for a little value in return. And that can be in the form of time, talent, and treasure. It doesn't have to be money. It can be time and talent. And for time and talent, I make the same asks. If there's something going on in your community, if there's somebody that you think we should be talking to, let us know. I want to, talk about the things that are going on in your backyard. I want to talk to the people you wanna hear from.   And you can email me info@let'stalkclaremont.com   with those suggestions.  

I've really want your feedback. I've also been asking the question, what's the character of our county or your township or your village or whatever the case may be?   We're dealing with a lot of development pressure, and I know a lot of people want to preserve   the character of where they live. But if we don't know if we can't articulate what that what that character is,   then we're not really gonna know what we're fighting for. So   let me know. I I don't know that I have a good answer to that. And if you do, write write in. You know? I'd I'd love to hear what your thoughts are.   And, this is kind of a new one, but if you are interested in doing some kind of high school sports rundown,   get in touch. I just don't have the time to keep up to date with all the high school sports going on out there. I love high school football. I'd love to have some kind of rundown.  

Get in touch with me, and we'll figure that out. I mean, it could just be a write up. You could record yourself. Whatever the case may be. I think it'd be fun to have. And if you enjoy high school sports, you got your pulse on what's going on,   Love to love to put you in here somewhere.   Now for treasure.   Go to the website, www.let's.claremont.com,   and click donate. And any dollar amount is very appreciated. If the show's worth a buck, great. If the show's worth $5 to you, even better. Five times better as a matter of fact.   And you can do,   reoccurring donations, subscriptions.  

So if the show's worth a buck a month, $2 a month, whatever the case may be, whatever you feel like that value is,   sustaining donations, subscription donations will will go a long way to helping, helping me keep do this keep doing this because, frankly, it takes takes a lot of time to get this done. So any of any dollar amount, greatly appreciated. That said, if you donate $50 and above, you will get a special mention on the show. And if you donate $200 above, you'll get an executive producer credit that you can use on resumes, IMDB, whatever you want. I'll vouch for it, and I'll read a note from you on air, and that note can be anything. It can be what's going on with you. It can be an ad read for your business. It can be one of those nasty grams I keep saying. I'd love to get just an an a scathing nasty gram that I can give a dramatic reading to. I think that'd be fun.   But literally not literally everything. I keep so I need to caveat that. Not literally everything. If you send in some kind of weird, hate filled manifesto,   I'm not gonna read that on the air. But within reason, I'll absolutely read,   any any note that you send in. And a quick note about the notes. If you do donate, $50 and above, please email info@let'stalkclaremont.com   with your name and donation amount so I can match that up on the back end. If you don't do that, I won't know who you are. I won't be able to mention you on the show or read your note. So   please do that if you decide to donate.  

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And please follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or whatever it is you use for podcasts. It really helps the show out, but but it helps you out because you'll be notified whenever a new episode comes out. And if you just wanna say hi, info@let'stalkclement.com.   I'd love to hear from you. Alright. We'll do this real fast because we gotta talk about the posting schedule again in case you're new. It's accelerated. So we are coming out with three episodes this week. And after this week,   back to regularly scheduled programming.   But you're still gonna get a full news rundown on Thursday. You'll get a refresh of all the events on Thursday.  

And like I said previously,   that newsletter   is only gonna go out on Thursday because I don't wanna flood your email box   inbox. I get annoyed when people do that, and, frankly, I don't wanna annoy you.   Alright. I think that's all the housekeeping we have. Let's talk about tomorrow. We're gonna be talking to Lori Zager   Zager. Hope I pronounced that right. Lori, if you're listening, I'm sorry if I didn't. Mike Gardner and Randy Dorsey.   They are all running for Batavia Village Council, and I think this is the first three person interview I did. So,   still kind of fingers crossed that that audio turns out. I think it did, but,   and if not, I'll fix it. Anyway,   they're not necessarily running on a ticket, but they all kind of have similar views and concerns, and   I guess you'd say a vision for the village.  

And there's also a fourth member that was not able to make it, Tom Smith. He's a teacher. He had parent teacher conferences.   I think that's what they said.   But   there are four of them. Unfortunately, Tom was not able to make it, but he's still part of I guess you'd call him a gang. I don't know if it's a gang.   Group. That that sounds a little less   that sounds a little less nefarious. This group of people that have common interests for, the village of Batavia.   And, of course, we get into development, and we get into transparency.   And we talk about their vision for the village and, you know, the stuff they'd like to change. And I had a great time talking to them. We did it outside at, at Randy's house, so thank you, Randy, for that again.  

It was a little chilly, but, but we made it work. So tune in for that tomorrow.   But today,   we are talking to Leanne Watson. She's the director of the mental health recovery board, and it's all about their well, it's not all about their levy. We talk about what the board does, some of the mental health trends in the country and the I'm sorry. The country. The county.   You know, we talk about signs of depression and drug addiction and how to spot them in in your teens, because I worry about that as my children get older.   You know, it's just dangerous. It's dangerous out there, especially with social media,   especially with young young women.  

So we talk a little bit about that. But   we talk a lot about the levy. We talk about why they need it, what happens if it fails.   And I really like the conversation. And I think I said this for the CPS levy. Whether you're for or against it, I think she did a good job of explaining why they're asking for it. So,   like all these Levy all these candidate and Levy interviews,   I'll just let you listen to it, and you can make your own decision when it comes to November 4. So   thank you again for listening, and I hope you enjoy the   interview.  

I'm gonna start it like I start everything and just  

[00:23:43] Unknown:

tell us who you are and what you do. Alright. Doctor Leanne Watson. I'm the executive director at the Claremont County Mental Health and Recovery Board.   I've been here for eighteen years,   fifteen years as the associate director, and three years now as the, executive director. And what'd you get your doctorate in? My doctorate is in rehabilitation   counseling. Okay. That's, a a specialty of counseling that works with, people with disabilities.  

[00:24:06] Unknown:

Okay. And so you've been here for eighteen years. How'd how'd you get started here and then, I guess, just in general in mental health? Well,  

[00:24:14] Unknown:

so I have been in Ohio for,   gosh,   thirty three years now.   And my first job actually was at, the Claremont Counseling Center Okay. Which is now   operated by Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, and they are a contract provider   of ours.   And I was a supervisor there,   for for   case management and,   various services.   And,   I always worked with with   with the board and the previous director at the time. She was actually the associate director at the time.   And so I've I've always been attached to Clermont County since since I've since I moved here.   I I   have always been interested in mental health, the mental health field too. I have actually a family history   of, people that have a mental illness in in in my family. My my grandfather had had a, had schizophrenia.  

Mhmm.   That's a tough one. Yeah. So that's a very disabling,   mental illness. Yeah. And then there were there were other people in my, on my mom's side of the family that had a mental illness. So I was always interested in that and and,   always wanted to to work in that field and,   recognized,   you know, the the   the devastation it can cause to families and to the person if they if the person does not receive services and get the help that they need.   So that was always that always drove me, and that's why I got my degree in in the,   area that I got my degree in. And then like I said, when I moved here,   I got the job at the Claremont Counseling Center, and so that just drove me to to Claremont County. And I've I've,  

[00:25:58] Unknown:

been attached to Claremont County ever since. So what why'd you originally move here? Was it for the job, or did you just have family here? It it was, I got married and moved here. Oh, okay. There you are. Yeah. Nice. P And G. P and g.   Yeah. Yeah. That's a pretty big magnet. Yeah.   So you're the director for the mental health recovery board. Yes. That's a that's a bit of a mouthful. Sorry if I got that wrong. Can call it the board. The board. Okay. We'll call it the board. It'll be like a legal document here   too, recognizes the board. So,   how long have you been the director on the board? For three years. For three years. Mhmm.  

What does the board do?  

[00:26:36] Unknown:

So the board is considered it it's a mandated entity. Mhmm. It's considered the behavioral health authority for the county. So so every county has a mental health and recovery board that might go by a slightly different name,   but every every county has one. And we are we are mandated to do many, many,   duties in,   the county, but it can really be boiled down to five. So we're responsible   for,   assessing the behavioral health needs of of our residents,   planning for services to address those needs,   funding those services.   So we fund those services through,   funding we receive from the state through,   the Department of Behavioral Health,   through our local levy funds,   and more and more through grant funding.  

So that's the third one. The fourth and the fifth one are,   evaluating and monitoring the the publicly funded system.   So we do not provide services here directly.   We contract out with,   with,   treatment providers   in our county. So our   adult,   contract provider for mental health and substance use   disorder is, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral.   And then our our contract provider for, children's services and for our crisis services for the county is Child Focus.   And then we also contract with,   two other entities,   for   for,   Hope Community Center for   consumer operated services,   and then NAMI, which is National Alliance for Mental Illness,   for   peer sup well, for for family support, basically.  

So that that kind of summarizes what we do, but another piece of that   is that we also,   are a safety net,   for,   our residents   that do not have insurance or have a high deductible,   insurance to so we act as a safety net to make sure that people have access to needed behavioral health services   regardless of the ability to pay. And so we're able to do that because of our levy funding   that we have. So we we   we, again, act as a safety net, so that people have access to needed services.   We're also,   responsible for for a a variety of other things, but one of the other important things that we do is,   we act as a convener   for the community.  

And we're always out providing education to the community and really, like, you know, as I said, one of our mandated duties is to assess the behavioral health needs of our of our community.   So we're always out out,   you know, making sure that that people understand,   the the one that we understand what the needs are and that the two people   understand that resources are available. So we're always out educating and bringing people together to to, provide them with with needed information.  

[00:29:30] Unknown:

So the people you contract with, are those, like, nonprofits?   Yes. Are you so are you a grant making organization? They'll, like, write grants to you and then you fund them, or how does that work?  

[00:29:40] Unknown:

Well, it it's not grants. So we actually contract with them. Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. Yeah. Yeah. That makes sense. It's gets it's complicated.   Yeah. So we actually contract with them every year. So they they they, it's a whole process that we go through. So they,   you know, every year, we we meet with our treatment providers   and discuss what the needs are in the community   and then determine   if their funding needs to be adjusted,   you know, to meet those needs. You know? Are are there do they need more funding in a certain area like, say, case management?   Because there's been such an increase in in the number of individuals that that are receiving case management.  

So it's a process that that that we work through to make sure that the needs are being met in the community.  

[00:30:21] Unknown:

So what are some of the biggest behavioral health needs in the community right now?  

[00:30:26] Unknown:

So   there's a lot.   Really, since COVID, there's been a a huge increase   in mental health needs, particularly.   And and let me back up before we talk about that. But but I'm sure everybody is familiar with, you know, the opioid epidemic that that we're just coming out of.   Is that getting better, by the way? It is getting better. Okay. It sure is getting better, in our part of of the world anyway. I mean, there are still parts of,   The United States that it's it's still pretty,   pretty much a a concern and an issue. Yeah. Excuse me.   But we were we were hit pretty hard and pretty pretty early with, with the opioid epidemic.  

So they're they're,   there's been a huge, huge change, and we as a community have worked   very well,   and very hard to to,   address,   some of the issues that were related to that.   So so   opioid misuse is really not as big of an issue as it was, say, three years ago. Mhmm. There's been an increase in in stimulant,   misuse.   So like methamphetamines? Like meth. Yes. Like meth. Cocaine.  

[00:31:37] Unknown:

Cocaine. Really? Cocaine. I always look at cocaine as like an eighties Wall Street drug. Yeah. No. That's made a comeback. Has it really? Yeah. It has. Because I think it's super dangerous now because of the fentanyl. That's exactly right. I think when I was living in Cincinnati, I didn't know him, but I knew somebody who knew him. He had cocaine, and he did it, and he didn't know it was laced with fentanyl and  

[00:31:57] Unknown:

right now. That's super, super, super Yeah. Yeah. It's super scary out there. And, I mean, if fentanyl's in everything, I mean, it's in Yeah. It's in marijuana as well. So Is it really? It really is. Yeah. They're cut they're using it to cut for everything. Really? Yeah. So people really have to really scary. It's very scary. People have to be very careful for sure.   So   we've seen a decrease in in, like I said, that the opioid misuse. I mean, it's still there. You know, we still we still got people that are that are unfortunately overdosing.   Our deaths overdose deaths have decreased,   and part of that is because we we really have done a good job. We as as a community,   and and the board led that effort. Right?  

Getting Narcan Mhmm. Out into the community to make sure that people,   you know, weren't weren't dying. Right. So so that piece has has decreased, like I said, and we're also seeing an increase in in the stimulant misuse.   But we've seen a substantial   substantial increase in in mental health needs, like I said, since since COVID   and particularly around our with our youth.   So much so that actually in 2022,   the surgeon general declared it an emergency state.  

[00:33:07] Unknown:

The surgeon general of Ohio? Sir no. Or or the of The US. Of The US. Okay. The US. Yeah. I mean, it it's because I know I'm sorry. I don't even know if Ohio has a surgeon general. Think they do.   That might have been a really dumb question. I'm sorry. No. No. No. No. We have an attorney general. Yeah. We've got a couple generals. I'm sure. Right?  

[00:33:24] Unknown:

So let me just share some some Please. Few figures   with you,   about that. So,   we've seen a 42%   increase in in our crisis calls   with that from our youth 17,   since   2020.   So 42%   increase in crisis calls. 4242%  

[00:33:46] Unknown:

increase. Really? Yeah. And that those are teens that are just calling of their own will. Right. I've got a serious problem. Please help. Right. So 17.  

[00:33:56] Unknown:

Okay.   Yeah.   So that we we've also seen an increase in in in youth, seeking services,   and a 13% increase in the youth that are that are receiving services in our school based mental health   programming and, that that's in all the school districts in in our in our county.   But that's a huge concern. So we're seeing an increase in anxiety and and depression among our youth.   And, you know, so that that's something that we really need to be paying attention to and really making sure that that, you know, parents are aware that services are out there, that they're aware of the symptoms   for for youth that that   maybe be experiencing these concerns and and making sure that parents know to to, you know, help us there and and, you know, get get your youth into into services.  



[00:34:39] Unknown:

This might be a morbid question, but have you seen an increase in teen suicide rates? We have, actually. So that's so last year, we we had seen a decrease  

[00:34:47] Unknown:

in suicides   overall. We usually  

[00:34:49] Unknown:

average around thirty suicides a year in in Claremont County, and we 30 in general or just 30 teen suicides? Thirty in general. Thirty in general. Okay.  

[00:34:57] Unknown:

Excuse me. And   we were below that in 2024,   but we did see an increase in in teen suicide last year, which was was very disturbing  

[00:35:07] Unknown:

to see. What do you think the   the the driver of of that increase is?  

[00:35:13] Unknown:

Well, that's a complicated question. I imagine.   I I you know, I think a lot of it has to do with social media. Yeah. I yeah. Yeah. And and bullying and and but really social media. You know? I mean, you can't there's so much   pressure   on on youth as it is,   and then you add that social media piece of of,   you know, people.   Because, you know, you when you when you post   things on social media, it's always  

[00:35:41] Unknown:

The best version of it. Yeah. Your best version of yourself. My wife, she she watches she's on Instagram about a lot, but she'll scroll through Instagram.   And she always gets so anxious sometimes that she's a terrible mother because she sees all these, like, idyllic   Instagram reels of, you know, mothers with their kids frolicking through woods. It's like, that's not Exactly.  

[00:36:01] Unknown:

That's not real. That's, like, the best five minutes that mom had that day. The rest of it, the kids are, like, swinging from chandeliers and tearing things apart like kids do. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. So I imagine it's the same for teens. That's exactly you you nailed it. That's exactly right. So there there's a lot of a lot of pressure that they feel because they see that and think that that's you know, everybody's having a grand life. You know?   They got all these friends and, you know, and and and  

[00:36:25] Unknown:

they feel like they've gotta compete with that. And On body dysmorphia too. Oh, my goodness. Yes. My daughter's five. I think we talked about it a little bit before we started recording, but   I'm terrified   for her when she gets because I grew up with a sister, and I know for Yes. Young young women, it's and actually for because I lift weights, and I've watched a lot of weight lifting content. Uh-huh. It's a problem for males too. Yes. Especially, you know, because if you go on and you see some guy with, like, a six pack and he looks great,   as a young man, you're like, well, why don't I look like that? Right. So it's I I agree with you. It's like, I guess what I'm saying is social media can be  

[00:36:58] Unknown:

very dangerous if you don't understand what's happening. For sure. And now we've got that AI that Yeah. You know, it's just doing stuff that   you know, it's hard to tell if if it's real or Yeah. Or not. I've also heard that people are getting almost in,   like, a relationship with their AI. Yes. Have have you seen anything like that? Or Well, I I haven't, but, no, I yeah. We've been hearing about that happening and and particularly with you know, because there are some some therapists that are online, and there's some services that are starting that are that are, you know, therapy like services through AI. Yeah.  

[00:37:32] Unknown:

That seems a little dangerous. It seems a little dangerous. Yeah. A little bit. I don't know if you wanna get in a deep emotional relationship with a robot. No. For sure. That doesn't sound that sounds terrifying, actually. It does.   So outside of anxiety and depression, what are some of the other serious concerns around the county? So we've seen an increase in,  

[00:37:52] Unknown:

nationwide. We've seen an increase in   alcohol use, particularly among among middle aged women. Mhmm. And then again Really middle aged women? Middle aged women. That's particularly been since COVID as well.   We are seeing   an increase in our crisis services overall, use of our crisis services overall in the county.   Like I said, this this the,   use really, it's the children is is is the is the big increase that we've that we've been seeing. Is that, like, 13  

[00:38:23] Unknown:

children or just teens? 18.   18 in general? Yeah. And how does that compare to counties around us?   If you don't know, that's fine.  

[00:38:33] Unknown:

I you know, I don't know specifically   the answer to that. I know that,   one of the thing one of the trends that we just   noticed just recently,   was there there has been an increase in,   suicide among our veterans Yeah.   And this this year.   And   we were just talking with our partners in in Butler County, and they're seeing the same trend.   So so that's that's very disturbing. And and we're actually in the process of reaching out to our our neighboring counties in Southwest Ohio to see if if they're seeing seeing the same thing so that we can band together, right, and and try to figure out a strategy to to go across those county lines. So do you regularly work with other counties, or is that kind of a new initiative?   We do. Yes. We we try to, you know, partner to to get the messages out so that we've got similar messages going out across across the counties, you know, since everybody   you know, we all travel through all the the different At a certain point, it's just lines on a map. Right? Right. Yeah. And since we're so close to Cincinnati.  

Yeah.  

[00:39:35] Unknown:

Yeah. Alright.   Well, so let's talk about the levee a little bit. Okay.   I'll give you the floor so you can just talk about it, and then I'll ask you questions along the way if that if that works. Okay. Great. Well, thank you, for the opportunity to talk about this.  

[00:39:48] Unknown:

So we are on the ballot   with a point seven five renewal. Okay. So the renewal means no new taxes. Mhmm.   There there's been,  

[00:39:58] Unknown:

And so I'm I don't mean to cut you off. Oh. And I I hope I remember these correct correctly. So renewal  

[00:40:04] Unknown:

just renews it at the effective millage rate. Right? That is correct. Okay. So there's been some confusion and and and, I mean, it is it is confusing. It's very confusing. These tax things are very confusing.   So, yes, a renewal means   no new taxes.   So we're actually even though people's property taxes may have gone up   recently, which they have in Clermont County. Right? Mhmm.   No. Not just Clermont County. Right. Not just Clermont County. Right. Right. Yeah.   So even though people's property property taxes have gone up because their home was reevaluated,   Our property our our levy   remains at, the same level as when we had the last increase or change.  

So that was 2015.   Mhmm.   So we   again, even though everybody's,   home values went up, we are still drawing our levy,   from 2015   valuation. So the revenue essentially stays the same. The revenue is still the same. Right. So we are bringing in $3,300,000   a year. Mhmm. If if we were,   up at at the current value for 2,025,   we would be we'd be bringing in close to 6,000,000.   So   that it's very confusing because, you know, you would think if if my if my home evaluation had increased, so would my so would the levy and Yeah.  

[00:41:22] Unknown:

Amount of the levy, but that's not that's not true. Yeah. You actually have to go on the ballot and have the voters approve that. Right. That would be like a renew which I think is what CPS is doing as a renewal. They're doing an increase. With an increase. Yeah. Renewal with an increase. That's correct. I didn't believe it was point two mil. Yes. Yes. Point two mil. Yes. That's correct. And I just interviewed chief Short the other day, and he's doing an additional levy,   which is just like a brand new levy. Okay. And then there's replacements, which would take it to the   sorry. I'd   I've I've looked into this for the podcast because it's very confusing. So when a replacement would just take the effect of millage rate up. So Yeah. So the replacement is is where it does bring it up to that current value. Right. Yeah. So we would go from the 2,015   value to to the current value. But to be clear, it's not you're not asking for more money. You're just asking to renew the levy that's already in place. Exactly. So that means keep it the same as it is Okay. Which is, $15  

[00:42:17] Unknown:

per $100,100,000   dollar valuation Okay. Per year. Okay. Yeah.   So that,   brings in, like I said, $33,300,000.0   a year   to our system, which is over a third of our budget.   So our budget is, a little over $8,000,000   a year.   And   for for that amount of money, we do quite a bit of,   things for our community that that I'm actually very proud of, what we're able to do with with this,   little amount of funding that we do have. So some of the things that that we fund,   again, like I said earlier,   we we act as, our funding that we have,   provides a safety net for our residents   that they do not have insurance   or have a high deductible. So it assures that people have access to needed behavioral health services in the community   regardless of the ability to pay. So that's one thing that the levy funds.  

The levy also funds, our school based mental health services   in in all districts in in our county.   So that assures that that our youth have access to needed,   mental health services   regardless,   again, of the ability to pay.   It funds our crisis services in the community. So our 528   which is our, crisis hotline.   It funds our mobile crisis team,   which goes out,   on the scene when people are having a mental health crisis or or substance use disorder crisis.   We get called out. I say we like I'm doing it because that   we were all a team, but the mobile crisis,   team goes out,   very often with police   or a fire,   to help assess,   what's going on, with the individual   and help to come up with a disposition.  

And and the goal is always to try to stabilize the person,   at at on the scene and get them connected with services or reconnected with services,   and, you know, handed over   from   the first responder to the mental health system,   you know, so that the first responder then can go and do their job, and then we do our job as as the, mental health provider.   So that's that's another thing.   Medication assisted treatment, which is,   the gold standard for addressing,   opioid disorder or an alcohol,   use disorder.   We found that.   How does that work? How does that work? Mhmm. So there's there's there's certain medications that,   that individual takes that,   I'm I'm rusty or   I'm not very good at just just talking about the science of this, but it's it's a it's it blocks,   receptors in in your brain,   that that that help with with,   the addiction around,   opioids.  

Mhmm. It's actually it's it's super awesome, and it works  

[00:45:11] Unknown:

really well. Just withdrawal from opioids is no It's very yes. That's not easy. And, actually, alcohol too. I don't know if a lot of people realize alcohol is one of the few drugs that if you quit, it can kill you. That's exactly right. I think benzodiazepines   are the other ones. That's you're exactly right. It literally can kill you. Literally. I think most hospitals I don't think a lot of people know this either. I think they have beer in the pharmacy   in case somebody comes in. I didn't know that. I think they do. I guess don't quote me on that. I could be wrong about that, but I've heard from people in the health care industry that they've got, like, Coors Light in the pharmacy Oh, wow. Just in case somebody comes in and they need they because they need it. If I were, they could die. Right. Right. Yeah. It's it's a pretty serious thing when you're in when when you're in withdrawal.  

[00:45:52] Unknown:

So that so they you pair getting the medication   with actually treatment, outpatient treatment where you're, you know, so you're addressing both things. Mhmm. Yeah. So that that's a,  

[00:46:02] Unknown:

And do you work with, like, AA and and  

[00:46:05] Unknown:

We we do. So we don't we don't fund AA, but that's a big piece of of of treatment for substance use disorder is is having that support in the community. Mhmm. Because you you can't you know, treatment's,   you know, super important,   but you also have to have that support. Yeah. And and and, you know,   because you you know, you you you can be in recovery   and and,   you know, not be using anymore, but you still got the same you might still have the same friends, if you're living in the same   environment. So you still have to learn how to,  

[00:46:38] Unknown:

address those issues when when when But family members and friends who dealt with that alcoholism.   Exactly. And you're absolutely right about the support group. It's Right. You know, it's one thing to to quit, but then it's another thing to keep sober. Exactly. And that's really tough. That's right. Yeah. To keep to keep in recovery.  

[00:46:54] Unknown:

So some other things, we we fund suicide prevention programming   for for our counties. We have a suicide prevention coalition.   We have a,   what's called CARP or, Clermont Addiction and Recovery   Partnership, which used to be the opiate task force, which is   a a coalition to to address addiction   in in our community. That was really the the the, entity that spearheaded all the work that we did around the opioid   epidemic.   We also,   let's see what else.   We also,   have services for individuals that have a serious and and persistent mental illness. So case management particularly is is the gold standard   for for working with that population. So we we fund that with the levy funds.  

So that those are just examples. I mean, there's we have, lots of services. We have a full spectrum of,   system of care that's available,   for for people with behavioral health concerns. And when I say behavioral health, I mean substance use as well as mental health.   So we with with,   levy funding, we're able to reach 25,000,   of our residents a year,   and that's one in eight Yeah. Of our residents. So we have a we have a good reach, a big reach with,   with with with this funding.  

[00:48:13] Unknown:

So you said the levy is a third of your funding, and I'm assuming It's over a third. Over a third. Mhmm.  

[00:48:17] Unknown:

I'm assuming the other is grants and stuff like that. So we get funding from, the Department of Behavioral Health, which used to be the Ohio   mental health and addiction services.   So they just changed their name October 1. I'm still getting used to saying that.   But, yes, we we get an allocation. Each board gets an allocation,   because every county has has a mental health and recovery board.   We, get an allocation,   every year from them. Okay. And who else is on the board, just out of curiosity? So we have a, we have a we have a board of directors that is our governing board. Mhmm. And so we have we have 12 board members,   and they represent,   you know,   all walks of life, really. We have a a police chief. We have,   let's see. We have a lawyer.  

We have a business owner.   We have   parents,   of of people that have a a behavioral health concern. We have consumers,   our clients. Mhmm.   So we have they really are from all walks of life. So we have like I said, we have 12 board members.   They're from Clermont County. Obviously, we try to, make sure that we have representation   from all parts of our of our county.   That's easier said than done. Yeah. But we do the best we can.   But, yeah, our our we I'm I   really like working with our board of directors. They really do care about our community and and are very engaged in in our work. And so like I said, it's a governing board, so they do   they do,  

[00:49:46] Unknown:

direct. They're my boss. Right? So they they do direct, what we do in the community. So that's who you would report to. And if you say, like, we need we wanna do this, that, or the other thing, you bring it to the board. Yes. And then they say, yeah. That's a great idea or,   rethink that.  

[00:50:01] Unknown:

Yes. Okay. So they did give me some discretion, you know, around, what I decisions I can make Yeah. You know, around operating. But, yeah, for the any big decisions Any big decisions have to go through the board. Absolutely. Yeah. Gotcha.  

[00:50:12] Unknown:

So   what happens if it if this levy fails?  

[00:50:17] Unknown:

Well,   so we as I said, this is over a third of our of our budget. So,   we're very dependent on this levy funding.   We would have to, make cuts. Mhmm. So we we would have to cut services that our residents depend on. So it really is very vital that we we pass this levy. And what kind of services would you have to look at cutting?   Well,  

[00:50:42] Unknown:

the ones that But if you don't want it funded, like No. I'd I'd yeah. I don't want it. If you if you need to be careful about that, then that's fine. I understand that.  

[00:50:50] Unknown:

I mean, I I I can say, I mean, there are some that are that are vulnerable,   because they are completely levy funded. Mhmm. And that would be our school based mental health services.   You know, we we have services that,   that we work with the,   courts and and our our first responders with, that those would be vulnerable.   But what you know, I I   yeah. I don't I don't wanna get too specific. That's fine. I understand. Yeah.  

[00:51:17] Unknown:

You'd  

[00:51:18] Unknown:

suffice to say, you'd have to make some tough choices. We would have to make some tough choices. And and we would involve   our agencies, our treatment providers in those decisions. And,   but I'm hoping we don't have to   to to come to that because it would be it would be very   devastating and particularly in a time where we're seeing an increase in in in needs. We don't need to be decreasing access to services.  

[00:51:41] Unknown:

Right.   So I I guess I'm can you talk about some of the successes you've had?   Do you have any, like, really good fun store not back. You know what? I say fun stories. I don't mean fun stories. Because much like I imagine child protective services and the fire department, a lot of your staff shows up to to people on, like, their worst day. Mhmm. So   I don't know if fun is the right word to say. But   do you have any successes or stories that that really stand out to you as good examples of of the impact that you make? Yeah.  

[00:52:14] Unknown:

Excuse me.   So we've had a lot of successes.   You know, I mean, one of one of the biggest successes we've we've had is is addressing the opioid epidemic.   You know, it it we really   and and and the board really spearheaded that effort, and and we came together   as a community, led the community really to to,   increase access in into treatment for people. We increased access into medication assisted treatment   or MAT,   so that people,   you know, could get the treatment that they needed. We increased,   the ability   to get treatment quicker.   That that was something that that that came out of the opioid epidemic.  

We got Narcan distributed   throughout the county. We got law enforcement to start carrying   Narcan. That was a huge game changer.   We did we started doing outreach in the community,   with our recovery coaches, which that that was a new position that came out of out of, the opioid epidemic. So that's one example of how, as a system,   we we made a,   a a a you know, we're successful and made a big change.   You know, that that there's there's other examples. You know? It it I I think of,   our crisis intervention team training, our CIT that we do with our,   first responders, particularly our police.  

That that's been a huge success.   We we train,   we've trained, gosh,   over 90% of our, police officers in the county,   and and that's to   help.   So police officers and and and first responders and general fire and   EMS as well,   but particularly, I'm talking about police officers here are really the front line Yeah. For people that are having a behavioral health concern or crisis. And if you don't have that kind of training, then Right. Because I imagine things can go sideways pretty fast. Right. So we started providing this,   training, you know, to to,   help them,   deescalate the situation, help teach them, you know, about the resources that were available in the community,   brought in mobile crisis,   that that that's a piece of the CIT or crisis intervention team is is having increased access to,   services,   and resources for our police to use.  

So that's been a huge success.   We we have,   seen a decrease in people that are are with a mental illness that are being sent to jail   versus,   stabilized in the community. I imagine jail is not the best place for somebody with a mental illness. It's not. It's not. But sometimes, you know, there's nowhere else for them to go, and and and police want them to be safe. Right? So they,   you know, they they feel like that's the only option that they have.   So that's a success.   I mean, we hear,   you know, personal success stories about clients, you know,   all all the time, you know, about people that,   had an opioid   use disorder and, you know, got access to to medication assisted treatment.  

And, you know, they were homeless. And,   you know, after receiving treatment, they're, you know, they're they're housed, and,   they've got a job, and they've they've gotten their children back. They had their children had been,   removed from their home, you know, by Children's Protective Services, and they've got they've got their their children back, and they've got their life back. Right? And   and and they're they're in recovery, and they're maintaining recovery. And so, I mean, we hear those stories   all the time. And and, you know, again, that that that's levy funding that that's allowing us to to to be able to help these people and help these people become taxpayers again. Right? Productive members of society. Right. Yeah. Yeah. So it comes around full circle.   So, I mean, that those those are just some examples. And, you know, again, with our our folks with,   have a serious   and persistent mental illness, we see successes with that as well. And,   you know, we have vocational services that that we fund with with levy funding again.  

And,   you know, it it it's such   such a cool thing to see to see people that have a serious and persistent mental illness,   get a job and and hold a job and,   because that that's part of recovery. Right? And that that makes you,  

[00:56:34] Unknown:

What's gotta be one of the best parts of the job? Yeah. It is. Seeing people get better and Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because I I also imagine much like child protective services and the fire department,   it can be tough for caseworkers or whoever   that is trying to help people. It is. I mean, it do you have problems with retention and burnout? Is that a is that an issue? Mhmm. Yeah. It is.  

[00:56:57] Unknown:

Yeah. I know everybody's saying that that the workforce is,   you know,   it it's hard to find people to to to work and, but we really it's the behavioral health field have really been struggling Yeah. Since COVID. And part of that   is because people can now work online. Yeah. You know, there's telehealth and,  

[00:57:16] Unknown:

I don't know. I'm a little skeptical. I think, especially for something like addiction and health.  

[00:57:20] Unknown:

Right. It's like you need human connection. You know? You do. And it and but, you know, the the publicly funded system,   we can't compete with that. Yeah. We can't compete with the salaries that that are offered for that. So   we're really struggling to find licensed people, we as the system. Yeah.   Licensed   mental health and, you know, behavioral health specialists that that wanna  

[00:57:46] Unknown:

stay in the field. Yeah. I imagine it's a calling too. It is a calling. You know? It's it's not just like you wake up one day and think like, oh, I'd love to work with,   you know, addicts and and Right. People with mental health issues. I don't know. It is a  

[00:58:00] Unknown:

it is a total calling. Yeah. So much so that my daughter followed in my footsteps. Oh, did she? Yes. She did. That must be I don't know. Am I happy or sad about that? I'm not sure.   She's still living at home, so if that tells you anything about the the the salary   that people get. But now I'm just I shouldn't have said that. No. No. There's nothing wrong. You know, there's a stigma  

[00:58:22] Unknown:

in The United States for kids moving back in with their parents, which I think is kind of a silly one.   I'm excited for my children to leave my house, but if they ever need a place because they're doing something they love and and they need a a roof over their head Right. I'm not gonna   kick them to the curb. Of course.   I don't I just thought about this when you talked about, you know, you take people and turn them in productive members of society, and I don't even know if this is a stat you have. Is there some kind of ROI number that   that like, if you look at a person and you say, like, well, they weren't   paying taxes,   but they've gone through the mental health recovery process, and now they are.  

That'd be an I I guess that'd just be an interesting stat to look at.   I don't know if that's even possible. Tell me a little bit more about your question. I don't know if it's a question. I think it might be more of a comment,   which is probably not good practice for an interviewer.   No. I was just thinking   because you said, you know, if somebody comes in let's use the example of an of somebody who's addicted to opioids. Mhmm.   Chances are   they don't have a great job. They don't live in a great   house. They're not really   contributing to society. Mhmm. And then they come to behavioral health services, and you put them on the right track. They get a job. They get a a better house. They're paying taxes.  

There's gotta be an ROI number in there somewhere, but I don't even know if that's calculable. I don't know what you mean by ROI. Oh, I'm sorry. Return on investment. Oh, okay. So yeah. I'm sorry. Yeah. The my marketing speak is coming up. Right. Your business here. I know. I'm sorry. But it'd be like, you know, we   we put x amount of resources into them, but they're now contributing to y. I mean, it it  

[01:00:04] Unknown:

I mean, there there's, yeah, there's been research out there that that's been done nationally about,   I   mean, it literally, they say for every   dollar invested in   behavioral health services, there's $10 saved. Yeah. That's that's the number I was asking about. So $10 saved in in, like, criminal justice,   the criminal justice system, the hospital system,   you know,   jail, you know, nine one one. I mean Yeah. Yeah. So for every dollar invested in our system,   we save $10  

[01:00:37] Unknown:

in the overall system. Yeah. And I because I think it's easy for people to look at   public institutions broadly and look at it as just like a black hole for money that Right. Doesn't generate any kind of revenue or any kind of savings,   but I have a feeling that's not entirely the case. It is not. I mean, it it it really  

[01:00:56] Unknown:

a little bit   of investment in our system really does make a huge impact in in our,   you know,   well-being of our of our county as a whole Mhmm. In our economic development. And and,   you know, I mean, we've gotta have a healthy county to to   attract   businesses to come in here, and then part of that is is good mental health. And   so it is. It's very important. Yeah.  

[01:01:20] Unknown:

So   back to the levy just real quickly.   If it if it does fail because it's a renewal, does that mean the levy just goes away, or   is is there still a tax that will that will have for mental health? Well, it does eventually go away that we we have. It doesn't,  

[01:01:37] Unknown:

we'll have,   it does not go away until January of of two thousand twenty seven. Okay. So we still have a, have a little bit of would go away? Completely go away. Okay. It would be over that.   Yes. So we would have to   then go back on the ballot and ask for a new levy.   Okay. Yes. Which would actually cost the taxpayers more money because it would be evaluated back up at that 2,025   Right.  

[01:02:05] Unknown:

Tax. Well, that levy system is do you because I've had to do research in this. Do you know why it it is like that? I have no idea. So it was back in the seventies. Yeah. It's house bill nine twenty.   And   because there was massive inflation in the seventies.   I did know. Yes. The legislature   said you can pass levies,   but the revenue will remain consistent, which means because in the seventies, you could wake up and your property is worth, you know, a lot more. Yeah. And then suddenly you're paying, which, you know, kinda similar today. Right. You could wake up and your property is worth a lot more, and then suddenly your taxes are a lot more. And, you know, that's not really what the voters voted for. So You're right. I did know that. Yeah. Yes. And I you know, and they are I mean, there's lots of of tax reform trying to go on, you know, happening right now. I think it's sorry. I don't mean to be the turn this into a legislative   conversation, but it's house bill 23   or four.  

It's looking to get rid of replacement levies. It just have renewals or additional levies. And that that   passed, and then the the governor vetoed it. Oh, did he? Yes. I thought it was still okay. I might have to make a correction.  

[01:03:12] Unknown:

Well, I believe that I'm correct on that. Okay.   Because it was supposed to go into effect because we looked at doing a replacement.  

[01:03:18] Unknown:

Okay.   Why did you choose renewal as opposed to replacement?   Well Or additional, I guess. What what was the thinking behind?  

[01:03:27] Unknown:

Well, we originally were looking at doing a replacement   and an increase because we actually need the additional funding,   for a cup couple of reasons.   One, we're   bringing up a crisis receiving center, which is, I could talk about in a minute. Sure.   But in our discussions with the commissioners so the commissioners have to approve   us going on the ballot, for our levy. So in our discussions with   the commissioners,   they provided us with access to,   some of the opioid settlement funding to help us with this cost for this receiving center.   It it it's not the opioid settlement,   funding is not enough to to pay   for the whole,  

[01:04:07] Unknown:

Can you give a little background on the opioid settlement funding? I've seen that in commissioner,   minutes, but Sure. I don't know the history of it or or what it is. Sure. So,  

[01:04:18] Unknown:

there there were lawsuits filed.   Gosh.   How long ago's it been? Four years   ago, maybe,   five years ago,   with with the opioid drug companies.   Several states did it   because of what happened with with Yeah. With the with the,   opioid drugs, prescription drugs.   And so with the settlement, there were three pots of money that came out of that.   A pot that sits at the at the count at the   state level,   which is the One Ohio Foundation, which people can apply for grants   from from that foundation, which we actually did receive a grant,   for our crisis receiving center. So that's the first pot. That's where the bulk of the money sits.  

And I don't remember the percentages of of the funding. It might   be 70%   sits there.   The second pot is at the county.   So every county in Ohio   got,   funding,   from that settlement.   That might be, I think, 30%.   Mhmm. And then municipalities also get a little bit. Okay. Excuse me.   So that funding is for eighteen years. I believe we're in our third year now,   of that.   So that funding is   is to be used,   really to,   address what happened as a result of the of the epidemic.   So the commissioners,   rightfully so,   I believe,   are providing that,   to increase access to to to treatment services,   in our county. Mhmm.  

So and and that is gonna be that's happening to this crisis receiving center that we're gonna be bringing up, and that's basically   a 247.   It's sort of like an urgent care for behavioral health Mhmm.   For people that are in crisis, having a behavioral health crisis. So it provides 247   access   for people to come in and and and get,   you know, and and get the services that they need.   So so we're very excited about that. So, yes, so so in our discussions about,   what our   what our financial needs were,   I mean, we were already deficit funding anyway. So we've been deficit funding,   you know, to make sure that we were meeting the needs of the community. So we were pulling into our reserves already. Mhmm. And then knowing that we were bringing up this crisis receiving center that is so expensive,   we got this million dollar grant,   but that's not even enough to to,   operate the center for a year. Yeah. So, I mean, it it's just so expensive because you got $24.07,   you know,   licensed   behavioral health,   professionals. It's just very expensive,   but needed. This has been a huge gap in our system for so long, so we're so excited that this is finally something that we're able to do.  

So in our discussions about this,   you know, knowing that that that we had money was not enough,   we were saying that we, you know, we needed this increase to to be able to continue to to to fund the needs that we had,   you know, the services that we were funding and bring this this receiving center online.   Like, commissioners were saying, well, you know, this is really   kind of a difficult   time to be asking for an increase   Yeah. Which I totally agree.   But we're saying but, said, well, you know, look at our numbers. You know? You you can see that we need this.   And they said, well, how about if we give you the access to to this funding   and then at least, you know, help you get through it for the next, you know, till the next levy cycle. Mhmm. You know, it's   it's not it's not enough for us to be able to to expand services anywhere, but we can keep services as they are and then bring this receiving center online. Mhmm.  

And that'll keep us,   above our head above water at least   for the next five years until we can go, you know, for the next levy cycle. Sure.   Did did I answer your question?  

[01:08:20] Unknown:

I think so. That why you chose a renewal over a a replacement. That was a long answer. Away.   No. That's fine. No. I I didn't know that that that you were having a crisis in our line, and I didn't know   that that's what the, opioid settlement funding was going towards. So, I mean, that's that's good to know. Yes. So it's,  

[01:08:37] Unknown:

it's very exciting. Like I said, this has been a   gosh. We've been planning for this for, I'd say, twenty years now. Oh, really? I just we just did not have the funding to do it. And so it it,   all came into place   with with a with a opioid settle settlement money. And   so we just, we got also got some other grant funding through this Appalachian   community grant that came out a couple years ago, and so it just all started falling into place. So,   you know, we we didn't have the ability to do it on it with our own funding. So as as these grants,   you know, were were were coming in. I mean, we were just applying for everything we could, and it it we just got lucky. And  

[01:09:19] Unknown:

How much of your day is writing grants?  

[01:09:23] Unknown:

More than I ever thought would be when I went to school to be a counselor.  

[01:09:28] Unknown:

Yeah. Oh, I We we do a lot of grant writing. Yeah. I've I've done grant writing in the past. It's like proposal writings for businesses. It is. Yeah. I actually like it, though, I have to say. Oh, man. Which is good, I guess. Every single grant or proposal I've ever been a part of, it's down to the wire,   and it's like you're combing through it looking for any mistake.   And you've gotta kinda, like, well, we don't really fit, but maybe we can   massage this language here and there. And Right. Yeah. It's   grant writing is a it's an undertaking. It is an undertaking. To just do one. Yes. So I'm We do a lot. We do. But, you know, I   Well, it's necessary, though. It is necessary. And and And it's good that   that government agencies, like because child protection services, they do the same thing. And Right. I I'm just talking to chief Short yesterday. They do the same thing. So Right. It's just good to know that We have to. Well, yeah. Not enough money available. Well, it's also good for taxpayers to know that, you know, it's you're not just relying on the taxpayer to fund your services. You're actively going and looking at your funds. So We are very all very good about doing that. I mean, it it and I tell you, I mean, I I take my job very seriously,  

[01:10:36] Unknown:

and and all the directors do of of of these   services that are that are levy funded. I mean, we   really do   appreciate the trust that that the taxpayers   put in us, with with their levy funding, and   we take that seriously. And we really do,   you know, look for all options to to be able to fund things. And   and you said that levy funding is as wisely as we can. Yeah. So, you know, we   we don't wanna ruin the trust that the taxpayers have in us. Yeah.  

[01:11:10] Unknown:

I've got a couple more questions that are not levy related. Okay. So if there's anything else you wanna say about the levy and I'll give you an opportunity at the end to make your final pitch. But if there's anything I didn't ask about the levy that you wanna talk about.  

[01:11:22] Unknown:

I don't think so. I think we covered it. Okay.  

[01:11:26] Unknown:

I'm curious. We could the beginning of our conversation, we talked about   teen mental health. I don't know if I call it a crisis, but it seems like it's not as good as it could be.   What are some of the the signs that you should look for in your teens that that would say, like, oh, I need to get I need to get my kids some help? That's a great question.  

[01:11:46] Unknown:

So it it it's   individualized.   Right?   But there are general signs you could look look for for for depression particularly,   and it's really just a change in in overall behavior. Mhmm.   So if,   you know, your your youth was   originally,   you know, involved in in activities and and starts   withdrawing and not doing that,   if they if they quit talking to   their friends as much, again, they start withdrawing and and not participating as in as many things.   They their eating habits change.   Either they they stop eating or they start eating a lot. Yeah.   Their sleeping habits change.  

That can be difficult with teens, right, because they sleep a lot anyway.  

[01:12:35] Unknown:

Why am difficult with teens because I imagine they don't talk to their my five year old doesn't tell us what goes on in school.  

[01:12:41] Unknown:

Right.   So, really, any any any kind of major change in in in their behaviors,   you really just have to keep an eye on that,   but particularly around the the,   changes in in the social piece of it. Mhmm.   Again, withdrawing from their friends or or,   you know, not doing things that they used to used to really enjoy, not doing those kind of things anymore. Those are big red flags that that something's going on. And that could be,   you know, depression or that could be, you know, substance use or is it some something's going on. Something's something's up. So it's something to to definitely pay attention to.  

[01:13:18] Unknown:

And so where would   as a parent, where would you go first? I mean, I assume you could come here first, but are there things that parents can do to try to curve it before they go seek treatment? Or how does that work?  

[01:13:30] Unknown:

So I would always suggest calling our our crisis hotline,   which is, 247,   and it it's staffed with licensed,   mental health professionals.   And that's, 513528   And that is a resource. It's not just a crisis hotline. It's a resource for our our our community.   You call and ask questions,   such as, you know So you don't need to be having an issue. You can just call and ask questions. It's also a resource line Okay. And not just for mental health, also for substance use disorders.   So you can call and ask. You know? Hey. My teen has been,   acting a little bit different   lately, and,   you know, here's what I'm seeing, and and what do you think? Mhmm. And I can absolutely help you. And that that's that's one of the things our your levy dollars are paying for is is to have access to that kind of service.  



[01:14:20] Unknown:

And for substance abuse, and I imagine this is   well, I imagine depression is true of teens and anybody else. But for substance abuse, would you look for the same kind of signs, like behavioral changes?  

[01:14:31] Unknown:

Yeah. Basically. Yeah. And maybe being   a little bit more   sneaky. Yeah. And,   I mean, that can look the same as really kinda withdrawing from stuff. Yeah.  

[01:14:43] Unknown:

Well, the tricky thing is that that can also look like just a teenager.   Indeed. Do you know what I mean? Indeed. That's that's what's so insidious about the whole thing. Indeed. Yeah. For sure. But, really, it it it is and and,  

[01:14:56] Unknown:

I mean, you're right. Absolutely. Because, yeah, teens are tough anyway. Yeah.   Just had a flashback  

[01:15:04] Unknown:

to my girls. I am not really I'm not looking forward to the teen years. Every time I look at my kids, I'm just thinking, oh, no. They're gonna be teenagers.   For sure. Oh, no.   I don't know if I'm prepared. It's something.  

[01:15:18] Unknown:

Yeah.   But, really, it it is extreme changes that that that that you see   in them. And and, you know, the the   the key is and, I mean, it's tough. I mean, I was a single mom. I mean, it it so it's tough, but you really do try need to try   to   to have that relationship with with your child. Yeah. And that starts early. Right? Yeah. So that that so you have that relationship when they start,   you know, becoming teens and,   not wanting to talk to you as much.   But, you know, just   try to have dinner with them every night if you can. If that if that's tough because your, you know,   your schedule or you're running around, getting them to sports and and whatever,   at least try to make some time where you're talking to them in the car while you're doing that. Yeah. But that that is just it's so vital, and it's it's   it's just   it's easy to do, and it and we forget about it sometimes. Again, I was a single mom, so, you know, I get it. Yeah. But we get we get busy. And Well, I mean, it's not easy being a parent. I mean, it's No. It's not. You're tired.  



[01:16:22] Unknown:

It's frustrating.   There's this little human that doesn't wanna do anything Right. That you tell them to do, and you're working, and you've got a million other things you're worried about. For sure. I mean, it's not easy. It's not. Yeah. But our our kids are our  

[01:16:36] Unknown:

most important assets, so so we really need need to  

[01:16:40] Unknown:

Well, I always tell people all the time, but being a father is gonna be the most important thing Yeah. I do. Yes. And I think I think that's And the hardest. And the hardest. Yeah. And I mean, by far.   So what about for addiction if somebody has overdosed? What would   what would you recommend they do for that? I mean, I imagine get them to a hospital. But Right. So  

[01:17:02] Unknown:

I would suggest everybody get Narcan. Yeah. And and What can you get Narcan? It's like me as a person, I can get Narcan. You can, you can get it at,   several places, but you can get it for free.   We've got a,   what we call a harm reduction vending machine Mhmm. At our office.  

[01:17:20] Unknown:

Is that what that vending machine was out there? That is. Yeah. So you just register.  

[01:17:25] Unknown:

And for free, you can come out $24.07 and and get,   free Narcan. You can get,   some harm reduction materials,   for people that,   are are using drugs,   who are shooting up,   to to make sure that they're, you know, staying safe and, so they don't get infections.   You can also,   get   just all sorts of stuff. You can get   hygiene kits,   all kind of things. So that that's one place. UC Clermont also has,   one of the machines.   You can get it at, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health.   Public health also has some. So there are all sorts of places where you can get it for free, so you don't you don't need to pay for it.   But I would suggest everybody have it and and carry it because you never know Yeah. When you're gonna run into somebody. And and as we talked about earlier,   I mean,   all the drugs are laced with with fentanyl, all the street drugs. And does Narcan it's effective with fentanyl?  

Well,   yes. But it it depends on that's that's a complicated question.   It depends on,   how much. I mean, it it it they you need a lot of Narcan to to to bring somebody back from that. But, I mean, even if you've got so the nasal Narcan is what is what we can carry as as citizens.   That'll that that can help a little bit, but you gotta immediately call 911. I mean, even if   you just you just do. When you give somebody Narcan,   you gotta call 911 because you you don't know what they've,   ingested and,   if that nasal Narcan is gonna help or not. But the kids come with with two of the nasal Narcan   applicators,   in there. So,   you've got you've got two chances, and and then hopefully   And then get them to a hospital. Well, our our wait for, EMS or fire or, you know, fire or police usually just police that that arrive,   first, and that's why that was important for us to   have police carry the the Narcan because they they get there before EMS typically.  



[01:19:34] Unknown:

And so if somebody is overdosing   because, you know, I'm I'm thinking I'm at a party. Mhmm. Somebody's using drugs. Mhmm. It's laced with fentanyl.   I don't wanna get them in trouble.   What happens if you call the like, do do you kinda get where that question's going? Yeah. So there's a good Samaritan,  

[01:19:52] Unknown:

law out there that that if you if you call or or if you,   also if you administer Narcan,   you you will not and and   you'll be protected by the law. Okay. So, yeah, it it you should absolutely always call and I mean, because you're gonna save somebody's life. Yeah.  

[01:20:08] Unknown:

Alright.   I think I've run out of questions. Okay. So I will give you the floor,   to give your pitch for the levy one last time. Okay. Thank you.  

[01:20:19] Unknown:

Well,   like like I said,   so our, levy is a point seven five renewal,   which means no new taxes.   It brings in $3,300,000   a year,   to fund vital services for our community.   Those services, as I said earlier, you know, range from, our crisis services to   treatment services for individuals that have a substance use disorder,   and to to services of individuals   that have a severe mental illness.   So it really is it's over a third of our budget,   and it just we're so dependent on that to to to be able to to help our residents in in our community.   And I just plead really that that that,   people recognize the importance of of this to our to our community and and support us on November 4. So the the cost is $15 per a $100,000.  

And, again, it's not a new tax.   Same taxes that you've been paying since 2015,   for this really important levy.  

[01:21:20] Unknown:

Awesome.   Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me, and, I'm gonna call it a successful podcast. Alright. Thank you so much. I appreciate your time.   Well, thank you again to Leanne for sitting down with me. I said in the intro, I really enjoyed the conversation. I really appreciate her doing this. I appreciate everybody who's been doing this. It's   just it's really nice to hear from these people and to, you know, just to hear somebody talk about levies or their run for office or whatever it is. I think it really helps us all out and helps us make good decisions when it comes to the fourth,   November 4 that is. So thank you again to Leanne.  

And, you know,   like I said in the beginning, whether you're for or against it, I think she did a great job of explaining why they're asking for the levy.   And, you know, win or lose, I'd like to have her back on. I think it's good to just check-in with the mental health board to see how the mental health of the county is doing. You know, they're on the front lines when it comes to trying to curb addiction and and depression and anxiety and things like that. So,   and I'm sure they have a lot of great resources that we can all use. So,   we'll have her back on, hopefully. I think I think we'll be able to make that work.  

But let's get into some events. And like I said, this will get refreshed on Thursday. So if you listen to the event list from last Thursday, you're gonna hear a lot of the same stuff.   But, you know, maybe you didn't hear something and and you'll hear it now, and it'll, it'll spark an interest.   So let's get into   it. First up, we have the Claremont Chambers Booze Bash Halloween party on October 29 from four to 6PM   at RJ Cinema Distillery and Taproom.   It's a Halloween happy hour party and costume contest hosted by the Claremont   Chamber of Commerce. It is open to members and community guests.  

Attendees are encouraged   to creep it real by wearing their best costumes, and you can compete for prizes and categories like   most creative, best group costume, and funniest costume.   Entertainment includes tarot card readings by a local chamber ambassador   and DJ spicy noodle,   spinning festive tunes to keep the party lively.   Tickets include one complimentary themed drink and light appetizers,   making for a spooktacular   networking event in a fun casual setting.   And, you know, if you go to this, you gotta tell me how DJ spicy noodle is. I mean, that is that is quite the DJ name.   I   and I love it. DJ spicy noodle. That's crazy.  

Hopefully, he's a good DJ. I don't know. In any event, let's keep moving.   Countywide trick or treat,   October 31. It's Friday. Hope you're getting ready for it. Six to 8PM all across Clermont County. Most municipalities and townships, including   Batavia, Bethel, Goshen, Miami Township, Milford, New Richmond, Pierce Township, Union Township,   and Williamsburg,   All observe a six to 8PM   for,   time frame for door to door trick or treating on Halloween night. Check your community's page for any weather updates.   Porch lights on means you have candy to give.  

And, you know, if you're not there or you don't I don't know why you'd wanna be a curmudgeon about this. Come on. Give your give kids some candy.   But if you don't wanna do that for whatever reason, turn your light up and you won't get a trick.   Next up, there is a genealogy   workshop, Bluegrass   State Research,   November 1 from one to 3PM at the Doris Wood Branch Library.   Learn strategies for tracing Kentucky ancestors, boundary changes, record gaps, where to find sources   from certified genealogist,   Dana Palmer.   It is free, open to the public, and you can attend in person or via Zoom. And it is hosted by the Claremont County Genealogical Society,   whose president is Paige Craig, who we have interviewed. Go back and listen to that. I can't remember the episode number, but go back and listen to that. If you're interested in history and genealogy,   I like the interview a lot.  

And it seems like a really cool organization,   that we have in Claremont County. So if you're interested in genealogy,   check that out.   Check the interview out and check this event out. You know, both of them, I'm sure, are great.   Next, we have women's camping retreat. This is gonna be overnight, and it's on November 1 at Chiloloc 34 Park.   It is adults only, 21 and over, and it is an overnight at Shiloh Lock 34 in Crooked Run Nature Preserve with choose your own activities, and that ranges from outdoor skills, museum tour, canoe float, conditions permitting,   campfire cooking, s'mores, charcuterie,   yoga, and more.  

It is free to register, but you gotta bring your own camping gear because there are limited yurts available.   You do have to pre register because space is limited.   Next, we have Cincinnati Fall Avant Garde Art and Craft Show, November 2 at the RSVP   Event Center in Loveland. It is a one day jury show with over 60 makers that, everything from handmade jewelry,   decor, apparel, fine art, seasonal gifts,   and there's on-site concessions.   It is $3 for admission. Kids 12 and under are free, and a portion of the proceeds benefit animal aid nonprofit, Cuddly.   It is great early holiday shopping close to home in Clermont County.  

And if you do go to that, let me know what an avant garde craft show looks like. I know what avant garde art is is I have an idea of what that is like, but I don't avant garde crafts seem   that seems kinda wild. So, if you go, let me know.   Alright. That's all the events and I'll give another quick note on events. I do the best to find as many as I can and I know I don't get them all. So if you've got an event that you know about or you'd like people to know about or you're putting on, whatever the case, just send an email info@let'stalkClaremont.com.   I can't promise I'll get them all on here.  

But the more I know about, the more I can, I can put in here?   And that'll bring us to We Are a Value for Value podcast. Like I said in the beginning, this keeps us independent and focused on what our listeners and producers want. And what it means is that if you find value in what we're doing, just ask for a little value in return. And that can be in the form of time, talent, or treasure.   For time and talent, let us know who you want us to talk to. Let us know what's going on in your community. Think about that question. What's the character of our county? If we can really articulate that, we'll know we're trying to preserve in the face of all this development pressure. And if you're into high school sports, get in touch.   I'd love to have some kind of rundown. We'll make it work. However however we gotta do it.  

For treasure, go to the website, www.let's.claremont.com.   There's a donate tab. Go ahead and click it. And you can donate via PayPal   PayPal or Stripe.   And if there's a different way you wanna donate, get in touch. We'll make it happen.   Those are the probably the easiest ways to do it. And PayPal, you can do reoccurring donations, which would be very helpful.   But if the show's worth a buck, $2, $5, whatever the case may be, whatever value monetary value you find in this, we just ask for that value in return.   And please connect with us on Facebook, Let's Talk Claremont podcast. We're on Instagram at Let's Talk Claremont, and we got that newsletter. Go to the website, www.let'stalkclaremont.com.  

Click newsletter. Put your email in, and you're only gonna get one a week, and there's gonna be some fun stuff in there that you're not gonna get on the podcast.   So   sign up for that and keep up to date with all the fun stuff we're gonna try to do.   And please follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or whatever it is you use for podcasts.   It really helps the show, but it helps you because every time we have a show come out, you'll be notified.   And as always, if you just wanna get in touch and say hi, info@let'stalkclaremont.com.   Well, thank you again for tuning in, and   we'll see you tomorrow.