Clinton County voters face a Nov. 3 decision on whether to continue a 0.5-mill property tax levy for the Clinton County Combined Health District. The renewal is projected to bring in about $458,176 yearly, or roughly one-fifth of the district’s revenue.
Clinton County Health Commissioner Monica Wood said the money is flexible operating support that can be directed to general operations and emerging public health needs, while many grants are limited to specific programs. The auditor’s estimate puts the cost at $9 annually per $100,000 of a property’s market value. Approval would extend the levy for five years from 2027, with taxes first due in 2028; Wood said renewal would not increase taxes.
A 2025 annual report cited property tax revenue of $450,866.55 within total revenue of about $2.12 million, or about 21%. Wood said that property tax money came solely from the existing 0.5-mill levy. The district relies otherwise on service fees, federal pass-through grants and smaller state, local and donated amounts.
Levy money supports staffing, clinic operations, inspections and responses to health concerns. Wood said the school health program conducted more than 4,500 student assessments, and the district also handles food safety, sewage and water reviews, nuisance and rabies cases, and blood pressure and A1C testing clinics. She warned that losing the levy could force cuts to environmental inspections, disease investigations, immunizations, mobile clinics, prevention efforts and vital records, as well as staffing and infrastructure.
The district first sought the levy in November 2006; voters rejected it, then approved it in May 2007. Renewals followed in 2012, 2017 and 2021, with the latest passing at 62.56%, according to Wood.