The Human Services Levy offers many different services. Protection is given for children suffering from abuse and neglect, and helps prepare them to thrive in school. Services are provides for children with mental and physical disabilities. Elderly people can obtain health care, meals and assistance in their own homes. People involved in a drug crisis can get diagnosis, treatment and recovery services. Unemployed and under-employed adults obtain the skills that match in-demand jobs. Help for adults with disabilities is provided to find housing and jobs so they can live on their own. Public health services provide nearly 10,000 restaurant and grocery inspections, nearly 5,100 workplace air-quality reviews, and 19,000 immunizations for children every year.

A hard-working citizens panel that includes independent business leaders, financial experts, and citizen volunteers regularly reviews the county’s Human Services programs and expenses. These community volunteers and business leaders work with the county to help plan and evaluate the programs and levy proposals as well as ensure that costs are controlled, priorities are decided, and critical needs are met.

Human Services are the most effective way to help people with real needs in Montgomery County get the right services at the right cost. Mrs. Jones-Kelly asked for support of the Montgomery County Human Services Levy renewal.

Mr. Stephens asked if there has been discussion to allocate funds to help with the opioid crisis in Montgomery County.

Mrs. Jones-Kelly shared that this year, and in the past with other epidemics, ADAMHS is allocating approximately $2.5 million worth of resources to help with the opioid crisis. With this levy, dollars can be leveraged to bring in more federal and state money.

Mayor Duncan thanked Mrs. Jones-Kelly for attending the meeting. He pointed out that historically, Oakwood has had the highest Human Services levy pass rate of any community in Montgomery County. He then asked if there will be literature or signs available.

Mrs. Jones-Kelly said that there will be literature and signs available. More information is available on their website at www.KeepMontgomeryHumanServices.com.

Mr. Jacques reported that public trees are on city property, in parks and on city boulevards, but trees in the right-of-way area in front of private property are not owned by the city. Privately-owned trees are on private property and in the tree lawn or right-of-way area in front of properties.

The City is responsible for maintaining public trees. With private trees, the city is involved in code enforcement including property maintenance, enforcing the General Offenses Code and state laws. The city is also obligated to keep roadways clear of tree branches and tree debris and safe for travel.

A homeowner is responsible for maintaining privately-owned trees. Homeowners are required to maintain tree limbs at a clearance of 8’ above the sidewalks and 14’ above the street. Regulatory signs must also visible, free from bush or branch cover.

Power lines on private property are usually located in utility easement areas, which gives Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) or their contractors the right to enter and maintain those lines. Utility easements are filed with the Montgomery County Recorder’s office, and copies are typically kept by DP&L. Residents may also wish to consult an attorney if there are specific questions about tree trimming and property rights.

Tree trunk location generally determines ownership. A tree whose trunk rests across a property line is, in Ohio, commonly owned by all adjoining landowners. If a tree is owned in common with others, one person cannot remove or trim it in such a way that would result in harm to the tree. And even if a tree rests solely on one neighbor’s land, if you and the neighbor have formally agreed, or treated the tree in such a way as to suggest that the tree is commonly owned, then the tree may be considered legally owned by all involved parties. The city will not participate in determining the ownership of a tree unless it appears to be on city property. Tree ownership must be determined privately by a qualified surveyor or by agreement of the affected property owners.