We continue our two part Watchdog report looking at health levies in the Mahoning Valley. How are they spending your tax dollars?

In part two, we explore the Columbiana County cancer clinic levy, the only one of it's kind in the state. For more than four decades, the levy's been renewed. Is this levy still needed?

Columbiana County Cancer Clinic History

In 1965, the Columbiana County Health Department developed a cancer detection clinic in response to an increase in cancer rates.

At the time, the clinic was funded through grants and donations. By 1980, the clinic was funded by a 10 year levy, last renewed in 2019.

This levy, the only one of it's kind in the state, brings in $2.3 million in the 10 year levy period. It provides pap tests and pelvic exams, skin cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer screenings and mammograms.

Is it still needed?

Columbiana's cancer clinic doesn't treat patients and has seen a 21% decrease in the number of patients, over the last five years.

Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wesley Vins, who declined to go on camera, says early detection is key.

"This program is personal to us, we are all touched by cancer in one way or another, so to be able to provide early detection services, which is the key to increased survival rates for our neighbors, family, and friends is an honor."

Where does the money go?

21 News requested financial records for a 10 year period to see how the money is being used. Each year varied, due to things like staffing levels.

In 2023, total expenditures to run the clinic were about $132,000 with about 51% of that going to salaries. Vins received 30%.

Vins tells 21 News "...personnel is the highest budgeted item due to the direct services provided by staff..." Vins continues, "...staff are the cornerstone of our Cancer Detection Clinic and are to be credited for the successes of the clinic..."

For the homeowner this .2 mill levy is a relatively low cost for the services provided.

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