Resident urges commissioners to weigh senior impacts ahead of revenue-neutral hearing

Kelly Roberts of 118 South Second Street, Buceras, told the Miami County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 20 that she was concerned about potential tax increases and their effect on residents on fixed incomes.
Roberts asked whether the board would hold a meeting on raising taxes. A county official replied that the county’s budget, fire district levies and some light districts are scheduled for public hearings next week at 1 p.m., and that the revenue-neutral-rate notices the county mailed show estimated levies and taxes.
Roberts said her primary concern was the potential effect on elderly residents, people on fixed incomes and those who are already “maxed out.” “Maybe it's a little bit easier to cut a budget, maybe lay off somebody than…watch somebody leave their home,” she said.
A county speaker responded that the county must provide services — ambulance, sheriff, vehicle registration and others — and that state statutes impose duties the county must fund. No formal budget votes or levies were taken at the Aug. 20 meeting; the revenue-neutral hearing and any decisions on levies will occur at the scheduled hearing the following week.
The exchange took place during public comment; commissioners and staff invited interested residents to attend the scheduled budget hearing to comment formally.