OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — The Southwest General Health Center levy began in 1973 in Middleburg Heights.
It was later passed by Berea, Brook Park, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Strongsville and Middleburg Heights, again, to support the construction of a 235-bed facility.
Today, the five-year levy is maintained by four community 1-mill levies.
Voters in their respective communities on Election Day are being asked to pass the following:
• Issue 4 in Berea costs a $100,000 homeowner $5 annually and collects $110,000 a year;
• Issue 27 in Middleburg Heights costs a $100,000 homeowner $6 annually and collects $204,000 a year;
• Issue 29 in Olmsted Falls costs a $100,000 homeowner $5 annually and collects $55,000 a year;
• Issue 41 in Strongsville costs a $100,000 owner $5 annually and collects $384,000 a year.
Southwest General Health Center Vice President Of Marketing & Business Development Al Matyas said all issues are general-purpose levies.
“It’s a renewal levy that basically helps demonstrate support for the hospital, established by some of our founding communities,” he said. “It enables us to do certain things, like free emergency safety fairs in those communities.
“We do sponsorship of schools. We provide athletic trainers to the different sports programs within the school systems and other things.”
The ongoing levies also allow each community to have direct community representation on the Southwest General Health Center Board of Trustees.
“That enables community members to know what is going on within the hospital and actually help direct what activities and services get provided to the community,” he said.
While the exact allocation varies per community, Matyas noted each city provides input for needs.
“The levy renewals are no new taxes and continue to demonstrate that Southwest General Health is their community’s community hospital,” he said.
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