Hamilton County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to place an 18 percent tax increase for mental health services on the May ballot.

        Annual levy proceeds, if approved by voters, would increase from $27.6 million to $32.7 million. The levy would raise $165 million during its five-year lifetime.

        The levy — a renewal of 2.47 mills with an additional .27 mills tacked on — would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $54 per year, or an increase of about $8 from the last levy period.

        Patrick Tribbe, president of the Community Mental Health Board, said the increase is needed to cover about $2.4 million in services that have been shifted to the mental health board from other agencies, start a mental health court and cover inflation.

        Commissioner John Dowlin said he is particularly excited about the mental health court, which would operate similar to drug court and offer treatment to nonviolent offenders instead of jail time.

        The mental health court was a campaign promise made by Mr. Dowlin during his run for re-election in 2000.

        Commissioner Todd Portune said he agrees the mental health court is a needed social justice reform. He also said the mental health board has shown better auditing and oversight of public dollars during the past four years.

        “And the fear we all share is that the November ballot will be so crowded by other issues that the mental health levy won't get a fair review,” Mr. Portune said.

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