50 North eyes tax renewal

50 North, which offers programs and services for those ages 50 and older, is planning to ask Hancock County voters in November to renew its 1.2-mill tax. At the agency's request, the Hancock County Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted to ask Hancock County Auditor Charity Rauschenberg to certify the amount of revenue the tax would generate. It has been generating about $2.25 million per year. After the amount is certified, the next step would be for the commissioners to vote to put the tax proposal on the ballot. That vote, which would be in the next few weeks, would be an endorsement that the tax is necessary. The five-year tax currently expires at year-end 2022. If the tax is renewed, the new term would start in January 2023. In 2019 — the last normal year — the tax covered about 66% of 50 North's operating budget. Fees and fundraising paid for about one-third of the budget. Last year, with the pandemic keeping the building closed most of the time, the levy covered 81% of the operating budget. Executive Director Carolyn Copus expects 50 North's numbers to return to normal this year. The tax enables 50 North to charge for services on a sliding fee scale for those who are on lower income. "We couldn't do what we do if we didn't have the levy," Copus said. 50 North provides activities like arts and crafts, education, movies, billiards, travel and technology; wellness and exercise opportunities; and Marathon Café, where seniors share meals with each other. The agency enables seniors to remain independent and in their own home through a variety of programs that include: • Nutrition, including mobile meals, grocery delivery and curbside pickup meals. • Chore and housekeeping services, installing ramps and other accessibility devices. • Emergency response units. 50 North helps clients fill out housing, disability, Social Security and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) paperwork, and provides guidance in accessing Medicare, Medicaid and Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program benefits. The agency helps connect seniors to emergency response units, telephone check-in services, medical equipment, transportation, mental health counseling and support groups. It also recruits and trains volunteer guardians to make health care decisions. Through 2030, nearly 25% of Hancock County residents will be 60 years and older, and roughly one-third will be 50 years and older. From 2014 to 2019, use of 50 North services grew by 77%; average daily attendance grew by 76%; and membership increased by 57%, the agency reported. Wilin: 419-427-8412