The senior citizens levy was first approved in 2012 to provide various services such as transportation, meals, social services and operate the Central Connections building at 3907 Central Ave.
The renewal levy is designed to generate roughly $662,000 each year and will help pay off the remaining mortgage balance, an estimated $1.6 million, on the building. The levy will continue to cost property owners less than $30 annually for $100,000 of valuation, officials said.
Smith said the organization is looking to do intergenerational projects working with older adults and youth in a summer food program. She said the levy’s passage will help the organization to do this. In addition, Central Connections is working to expand its meals program and to develop a whole-person wellness program.
In addition, Smith hopes to have the center to grow as well as collaborate with other community organizations.
Members and staff at the center said they were very happy that the levy passed.
Buddy Fouch, who is at the center every day, came up to Smith and said, “we won!”
Judy Hamilton said she comes to the center five times a week and was pleased with the levy passing.
“I’m glad it did,” she said. “If not for this place, I wouldn’t have anything to do. I really enjoy it.”
About 79 percent of the people receiving services from the organization are from Middletown ZIP codes and that 16 percent of Middletown’s population was over age 60.
According to final, unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections, the Middletown Senior Citizens renewal levy was approved in all 36 precincts.
The levy passed by a vote of 76.72 percent or 1,058 votes for to or 23.28 percent or 321 votes against. Of the 28,755 registered voters in those precincts, 1,379 voters cast ballots in this election, according to the elections board.
Jocelyn Bucaro, deputy director for the Butler County Board of Elections, said t turnout was less than 5 percent.
In the five Warren County precincts, the Middletown Senior Citizens Levy passed handily in four precincts and only by one vote in Franklin Twp. Precinct I, where the vote was nine for to eight against.
The levy passed with 80.95 percent or 102 votes for to 19.05 percent or 24 votes against, according to final, unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections.
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