Hamilton County administrators are recommending that a tax levy to provide health care for poor people be $28 million less than one that almost appeared on the May ballot.

        Commissioners decided against placing the Health and Hospitalization levy on the ballot this spring because there was insufficient time for review by the Tax Levy Review Committee.

        Officials had asked for a $292 million levy in May — or a 36 percent increase over the last five-year period. But it was never placed on the ballot.

        The current levy is due to expire at the end of the year, meaning it must pass in November or the county will have to provide those services with money from its general fund.

        The lower amount should help the levy pass, officials say.

        “The feeling was that people didn't want that large of an increase, so we lowered it,” County Administrator Dave Krings said. “Frankly, the general fund is in no position to pick up those services if it fails.”

        The levy would raise $263.8 million over five years — an increase of $53.1 million over the previous five-year levy. It is not yet known how much it would cost the owner of a $100,000 home because the millage amounts are still to be calculated.

        The levy was first passed by Hamilton County voters in 1966. Proceeds go to University Hospital and Children's Hospital Medical Center, with some of the money going to other things such as inmate health care at the jail.

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