Voters are deciding whether to renew the 1.8-mill levy that funds child well-being services through 2030.
LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — Voters in Lucas County are deciding whether to renew a 1.8-mill property tax levy that supports the operations of Lucas County Children Services.
If approved, the renewal will allow the agency to continue receiving an estimated $14.07 million annually, at a rate of $1.80 per $1,000 of taxable value — approximately $39 tax per $100,000 of appraised value.
The agency reports that about 50% of its revenue comes from property-tax levies, with federal and state funds covering the remainder.
LCCS Executive Director Randy Muth has said rising costs in foster care, placement services and child welfare have made the renewal critical. Muth has said the cost of raising children in the agency’s care has risen 77 percent over the past five years.
Because this is a renewal based on 2001 property values, homeowners will see no tax increase; the owner of a $100,000 home pays about $38.53 per year. If approved, the levy runs through 2030.
Results remain unofficial until certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
LCCS is the county agency responsible for protecting children from abuse and neglect and ensuring their safety through investigation, family support and foster or adoptive placement when necessary. The agency handles thousands of hotline calls and investigations each year, working with local law enforcement, schools and health providers to identify children at risk.
Levy funding supports services such as foster care, kinship care, adoption programs, child-abuse prevention education and caseworker staffing. The agency says roughly half of its operating budget comes from local property taxes, with the rest funded by state and federal dollars.
This article was published by WTOL Newsroom on 2025-11-04 21:21:00
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