Commissioners block health dept. levy vote

SANDUSKY — Erie County's health board has scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday after the Erie County commissioners refused to put the health department's renewal levy on the fall ballot. Commissioners were scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Erie County health commissioner Pete Schade attending. The commissioners said they want to examine the health department's books first to see if the levy is necessary. Schade said state law does not allow the county commissioners to refuse a request to put the levy on the ballot. The commissioners may face legal action if they don't "do their job," Schade said. Looking ahead, the health department faces an Aug. 4 deadline for the commissioners to put the levy on the fall ballot. A renewal levy does not raise taxes. The health department has not sought a property tax increase since 2005, Schade said. Approval of a levy is up to the voters, not the commissioners, Schade said. "People of Erie County are the ones who should vote. If people turn the levy down, I'll accept it," Schade said. While the health department has been successful in obtaining grant funding, there are limitations on how grants can be used, and levy money is needed for daily operations, Schade said. "We're not blowing our levy dollars on stupid things," he said. "We're using it to keep the doors open and the lights on." Approval of a levy is normally routine business. But when the commissioners met on July 2, commissioner Steve Shoffner offered a motion to put the levy on the ballot. But it died for lack of a second from commissioners Matt Old or Pat Shenigo, Shoffner confirmed. Shoffner said commissioners want to make sure the levy money is needed. "The commission is looking for more information regarding budgets, carryover (if any), future encumbrances, etc., keeping in line with our Blue Ribbon Commission idea of finding efficiencies and reducing taxes whenever possible," Shoffner said. "We are aware of the early August deadline for placing the issue on the November ballot," Shoffner said. "I would likely be satisfied with their need for a levy if I see the need in their financial data." Added Old: "We have not voted on this yet. We have invited Pete Schade to attend our commission meeting this week to discuss the issue and explain his budget to us so we can make an informed decision." Schade said he wants to hire a lawyer to explore the health department's legal options. "Playing these games, I don't have any patience," he said.