Homeowners across Hamilton County, including those in Indian Hill, Madeira, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Sycamore Township, would pay about $121 per $100,000 of home value if voters approve Issue 10 on Nov. 3.

That is roughly a 50% jump from the current children's services levy, which costs about $81 per $100,000 and expires at the end of 2026. The increase works out to about $39 more per $100,000 annually, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The proposed 5.61-mill levy would generate roughly $117 million a year for four years starting in 2027, as WLWT first reported. The levy funds Hamilton County Job and Family Services programs: the child abuse hotline, child protection investigations, foster care, adoption and family reunification. Those programs served more than 13,000 children last year, WCPO reported.

If the levy fails, the county would lose all dedicated levy funding for children's services and would have to cover mandated programs from its general budget.

"If we don't pass the levy, we go to zero. I just want to be very clear. We don't go back to where we started. We go to zero," Commissioner Denise Driehaus said at the Aug. 3 commissioners meeting, calling the prospect "a catastrophe."

Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas voted with Driehaus to place Issue 10 on the ballot.

Commissioner Alicia Reece abstained. Reece said the county cannot keep funding mandated services on the backs of homeowners and called for a new model, according to WCPO.

Summerow Dumas criticized the state for pushing costs onto counties, pointing to Ohio's $3.94 billion rainy day fund while requiring counties to shoulder most child welfare spending. Ohio contributes roughly 18% of child welfare costs, second-lowest in the country, where the average is 42%, according to the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area. The League endorsed a yes vote on Issue 10.

Commissioners trimmed the ask. A county Tax Levy Review Committee had recommended 6.57 mills, which would have cost $157 per $100,000. Commissioners said that amount, while reflecting the true need, was too steep for voters, WVXU reported.

In Terrace Park, 12 Hamilton County levy issues already account for roughly 20% of a homeowner's annual property tax bill, according to a village finance document.

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber and the Hamilton County Democratic Party have endorsed the levy. The Hamilton County Republican Party had not taken a position as of Sept. 27. Party Chair Josh Gerth said in a statement that the campaign "would be wise to address our party's concerns about property tax bills."

Voter registration closes Monday, Oct. 5. Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 6. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.