Two countywide levies won approval of Hamilton County voters by the slimmest of margins during Tuesday's primary election.

        A Hamilton County parks levy and a mental health levy were victorious by gaining just 51 percent of the vote each on a night when 14 percent of registered voters cast ballots.

        There were tense moments along the way for the tax proponents, as both levies trailed late into the evening.

        Al Tuchfarber, who was a campaign strategist for the parks levy, said the low turnout likely made both contests tighter.

COMPLETE COVERAGE

• Parks, mental health levies just squeak by • Yates wins primary for seat in state House • Mariemont's school tax fails • Warren, Butler say no to taxes • Warren County voters back levy for seniors • Boyle wins primary for state treasurer • Maineville voters trounce levies • Norwood among those to OK levies • Turner leads in 3rd District Election Results: Butler    Clermont    Hamilton    Warren

        “It's just amazing how much both levies struggled,” he said.

        There was an organized campaign against the county parks levy.

        A group of city residents rallied against it because none of the proceeds are shared with the Cincinnati Park District. They thought about $3 million a year from the levy should go to city parks.

        Donald Spencer, who led the campaign against the levy, said his group accomplished its mission.

        “In three weeks and with a $1,500 budget, we informed the community of how the money is distributed,” he said.

        The 15-year park levy is a 1-mill replacement tax. It will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $29 a year — up from the $17 it has cost since 1988, the last time it appeared on the ballot. It will raise $17.7 million annually.

        Hamilton County has 17 parks and nature preserves, covering more than 14,000 acres. The park board oversees an annual budget of nearly $27 million.

Poll worker Evelyn Peter waits for voters at Cheviot's Precinct 1A, where morning turnout was low. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The controversy over how the money is spent was enough to sway Carol Russell against the tax. Ms. Russell, a 42-year-old Madisonville resident, said it's only fair to share.

        “I found out that money isn't for the city parks and I voted against it,” Ms. Russell said. “It should be for all parks.”

        The mental health levy was also tight to the wire, and there was a lot riding on the vote, said Dr. Jenny O'Donnell, who campaigned for the levy.

        “I was terrified,” she said. “This community needs our services and we need every dollar we ask for.”

        A new mental health court, which would sentence non-violent offenders to treatment instead of jail, would have been eliminated if the levy had failed.

        Mental health advocates mounted a strong campaign — comprising television and radio spots along with yard signs all over town — even through there was no organized opposition.

        A 2.74-mill renewal with an added .27 mills, the mental health levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $48.11 per year, or an additional $7.95 per year. The tax will raise $32.8 million each year.

        Levy proceeds are used by the Community Mental Health Board to contract with 48 agencies in Hamilton County that provide services for mentally disabled people.

        The levy makes up about 40 percent of the board's budget.

        Voter turnout was lower than expected Tuesday. Elections officials predicted 20 percent of the 519,352 registered voters would cast ballots. But only 14 percent did. Similar low turnouts were reported in other counties.

        At the polls in Madison Bowl in Oakley, Don Smith, ward co-chairman, said he'd never seen such a slow election day.

        “This is so disappointing to see so many people staying away from voting,” said Mr. Smith, 67, of Madisonville.

        There wasn't much of a turnout in Warren County either, where voters overwhelmingly approved the first-ever senior services levy Tuesday. Warren is the only area county without an elderly services levy.

        The 0.96-mill levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $29.40 annually and raise $3.7 million a year for five years.

       Enquirer reporter Cindi Andrews contributed.
       

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