Holmes County voters to decide on additional levy for senior services: Crucial support for Meals on Wheels program
A region where rural roads and tight-knit communities define daily life — the November 4, 2025 general election includes a key issue for area seniors.
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A region where rural roads and tight-knit communities define daily life — the November 4, 2025 general election includes a key issue for area seniors. Voters will decide on an additional 0.31-mill, five-year levy to fund senior citizen services and facilities through the Holmes County Council on Aging (which does business as the Darb Snyder Senior Center at 170 Parkview Drive in Millersburg). This levy is intended to sustain programs such as Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to homebound seniors, along with welfare checks and social support intended to combat isolation. If the levy fails, the Council on Aging warns that services could face cuts — a serious risk in a county with limited public transportation and medical access.
The area includes many rural and agricultural communities, including Amish and non-Amish residents, and preserving dignity and independence for seniors is a central concern. This proposal follows a previous levy attempt: in December 2024, voters had rejected an additional 0.19-mill levy by a vote of 6,357 to 4,726. In that case, the levy would have generated about $300,000 for the center. Holmes County commissioners approved placing the 0.31-mill levy on the 2025 ballot.
Commissioner statements widely cited emphasize the importance of caring for elders in the community (though I did not locate a direct quote matching “I do support this levy. Us old folks need to be taken care of” in the sources I reviewed). The levy would also support congregate (sit-down) meals at the center (served around 11 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday) to encourage social interaction, which is critical to maintaining mental and physical health among seniors. Recent local coverage underscores how rising costs and a growing senior population make this levy vital to maintaining home delivery services. Official county documentation — a Proclamation from the Holmes County Board of Elections — confirms the ballot wording: “Additional 0.31 Mills for 5 years” to provide or maintain senior citizens services or facilities of the Holmes County Council on Aging, Inc. In Holmes County, where family and neighborly support remain central pillars of daily life, passing this levy could ease burdens on caregivers and help preserve community resilience.
Voters are urged to review the Holmes County Board of Elections’ official materials to fully understand the implications.