BUCYRUS — The Crawford County Council on Aging has been assisting senior citizens throughout the county for decades and to make that happen, funding from a 1-mil levy has been needed.

The levy first was approved for five years in 1995 and has been approved by voters in the years since. Early voting began Wednesday at the Crawford County Board of Elections for the March 17 primary election that includes the 1-mil renewal levy issue for the next five years along with a .75-mil additional levy for five years.

Cassie Herschler, director of the Crawford County Council on Aging, said voters across the county are being asked to continue services for senior citizens.

“The levy is essential at the present level, and in order to expand services to meet the needs of the growing number of older adults in our county,” Herschler said.

She said senior service levies can last no longer than five years by state law and the current levy expires in 2020.

“In order for local in-home and community services to continue through 2025, voters must approve the levy this year,” said Herschler. “The Council on Aging is asking for your support on a renewal of 1-mil of an existing levy and an increase of .75-mil over five years. This will cost a $100,000 homeowner $58.44 per year. For an extra $4.87 per month, you can help seniors stay independent in their own homes.”

The Crawford County Council on Aging is a non-profit organization that has spent more than 46 years keeping older and disabled adults in Crawford County safe, healthy, and independent in their own homes.

“We administer services such as home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, home care services, and information and referral to residents who are age 60 and older. Eligibility is not based on income, but rather the need for services, regardless of income or assets,” Herschler said. “Levy services make a difference for family members caring for older loved ones. And for those seniors who have no family nearby, it makes a difference in their quality of life.”

She said the levy is necessary since the fastest-growing part of the population in Crawford County is 60 and older.

“Crawford County’s 60 and older population is expected to grow to 13,000, which is 30 percent of the population, remaining through the year 2050,” Herschler said. “Surrounding counties in our region will take 30 years to reach our current aging population in Crawford County.”

She said current funding sources cannot meet the growing need of the county’s aging population.

“Voting yes for the senior services levy allows us to keep pace with the rapid growth of our older adults,” Herschler said.

Services provided by the Crawford County Council on Aging during the past five years included:

  • 78,138 Hours of Homemaker Services
  • 279,832 Home Delivered Meals
  • 27,647 Congregate Meals
  • 147,028 Trips for Transportation-trips to all points of the county, Monday through Friday with service to Marion, Mansfield, and Columbus medical facilities one day a week.
  • 126,942 Requests for Information and Referral and Senior Services

The Crawford County Council on Aging Transportation Department will be available on Election Day on March 17 for those who may need a ride to their designated polling place. Those in need of a ride to the board of elections to vote by absentee ballot, may also request a ride.

Please call in advance to schedule a ride at 419-562-3050 or 1-800-589-7853. For more information about the Council on Aging, visit http://crawfordcountyaging.com or call 419-562-3050.