EATON — The Preble County voters will see a a levy renewal on the March 15 ballot for Preble County Public Health.

The renewal will continue to cost homeowners .3 mil, which is what the current levy has been since 2001. Thus, it will not be an increase to current taxes, officials said. The cost equates to $.03 for each $100 of valuation for five years – first due in the calendar year of 2017.

The money from the levy will “represent approximately 40 percent of the revenue needed for the operation of the health district’s essential services that provide care to all Preble County residents, from newborns to senior citizens,” Erik Balster, Preble County Health Commissioner, said in a press release.

A large portion of the funds will be put toward prenatal clinics, immunizations, early childhood developments, staffing, communicable disease programs, nuisance complaints, trash and debris, inspections of food service establishments, and “covering little bit of everything we do at the department,” said Balster.

The health department provides many free services to the community such as communicable and infectious disease investigations as well as nuisance complaint investigations. They also provide prenatal and reproductive health services along with education to children and parents about nutrition, lifestyles, and activity.

“Because of levy dollars and the support of (citizens of Preble County,) the health district is able to continue to follow up on the public health issues that would otherwise be left to accumulate and hurt our community,” added Balster. “Every day, the health district provides essential services that prevent disease, promote health, and protect Preble County residents from a variety of illnesses and injuries. With new and emerging health threats like Zika virus and Ebola gaining relevance, the health district will continue to play a pivotal role in preparing and protecting the county.”