RENEW MENTAL HEALTH
Issue 14: NOT A NEW TAX
Stronger Families. Safer Communities.
.3 mill, 10 year renewal levy on the November 3, 2026 ballot in Portage County. The levy will not add new tax to residents, it would only continue to cost the owner of a $100,000 property $6/year, just 50 cents per month.
Services for Portage Residents Provided by Levy Funds Include:
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Treatment for children, families, and individuals with mental health challenges, particularly with trauma, and residential treatment for children.
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24 hour crisis helplines, walk-in crisis services, and a crisis stabilization unit.
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Support to Portage County school districts to provide direct services to children.
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Suicide prevention, alcohol and drug prevention programs, and other mental health classes taught in the Portage County schools.
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Protecting legal rights and health & safety of adults through the Guardianship Service Board.
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Treatment for persons with opioid and other addictions including residential treatment & recovery housing.
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Crisis Intervention Team training for police.
Good Investment!
For every dollar spent on substance abuse treatment, there is an economic return of $4.00 to $7.00; for mental health treatment, the economic return is $5.00 per person.
Drug treatment costs approximately $20,000 less than incarceration per person per year for a drug-related crime.
Mental health services...A wise investment in our families, friends, and neighbors!
Levy funds help people in our community get the support they need to be safe, healthy, and successful.
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Helping Children and Families
Levy funds support children, young people, and families through suicide prevention, substance use prevention, and mental health services. These funds also provide mental health screenings for students who may need extra support in Portage County schools.
Levy dollars help bring different services together for children and young people with more than one need. This helps families find the right support and gives children a better chance to grow and succeed.
Building a Safer Community
Levy funds help people who are facing mental health or drug and alcohol challenges get care and support. They also support suicide prevention and training for police officers. This training helps officers respond safely and respectfully when someone is experiencing a mental health or other crisis.
Levy dollars also support the Portage County Guardianship Service Board. The board helps protect the legal rights, health, and safety of adults who need a guardian.
Helping People Work and Businesses Grow
Levy-funded services help people with mental health needs find and keep jobs. When people can work, they and their families benefit. Businesses benefit from skilled and reliable workers, and our local economy grows stronger.
Why Local Levy Funds Matter
Local levy funds help pay for services that state and federal dollars do not fully cover. In fact, 68% of the Board’s funding for critical services comes from local property tax levies.
Your levy dollars help make sure people in Portage County can access important services close to home. They support treatment, prevention, education, and other services that help people, families, businesses, and our community thrive.