Fairfield County voters pass Meals on Wheels levy by wide margin

LANCASTER − Fairfield County voters passed a 0.8-mill replacement levy for Meals on Wheels by a wide margin Tuesday.

The measure passed 36,540 for it, and 17,264 against it, according to unofficial results. The results are unofficial until the county election board certifies them.

"I'm just grateful to the voters for supporting the senior services here in Fairfield County," executive director Anna Tobin said. "I'd like to express my gratitude to the community for the continued support of our senior services. Passing that levy means we can maintain the vital agency services that we've put into place over the past 50 years."

Tobin said the approval means services will remain available for the county's rapidly-growing senior population.

She said she was not surprised by the wide margin of victory for the levy.

"I think that our community is compassionate for the caring of our seniors here in Fairfield County," Tobin said. "So it doesn't surprise me. I think we have a very caring community."

The levy comes as the local Meals on Wheels agency is celebrating its 50th year in Fairfield County.

"We've come a long way over the past 50 years and the senior services levy has been a big part of that," Tobin said. "It's really enabled us to not have waiting lists for services for the seniors at a time in their life when they need help."

Besides providing seniors with meals, Meals on Wheels also offers some home care services and transportation services for them.

The levy will collect $4,640,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.8 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $28.00 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Voters approve Fairfield County Meals on Wheels levy by wide margin