Dayton Needs a Public Hospital
Vote YES on Issue 9
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Since the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital in 2017, Dayton has faced a critical healthcare gap. This levy directly addresses that need.
Vote YES on Issue 9
Vote YES on Issue 9
This measure asks Dayton voters to approve a 1.00 mill property tax levy (about $35 per year for every $100,000 of property value) for 10 years, starting in 2026. The levy would raise about $2 million annually to build and operate a new public hospital in Dayton. The hospital would be city-owned, open to all patients regardless of insurance status, and include an emergency department, ICU, mental health services, maternity and neonatal care, and specialty clinics. It also requires strong labor standards for construction and hospital workers, and oversight by an 11-member community-focused board of trustees.
Early Voting begins October 7th, an Election Day is November 4th.
Hospital Levy Quick Facts
Total Millage Requested: 1.00 mill
Tax Year Impacted: 2026 (with payments beginning in calendar year 2027)
Estimated Annual Levy Revenue: $2,032,797.26
Levy Duration: 10 years (2026–2035)
Estimated Cost to Property Owners: $35.00 per $100,000 of appraised property value.
Major Benefits to Community:
Construction and operation of a new public hospital in Dayton, wholly owned and operated by the City of Dayton (or through public partnership).
Facility will include:
Emergency Department (minimum Trauma Level II)
Intensive Care Unit
Pediatric emergency services
Mental health services
Diagnostic laboratory and imaging center
Outpatient obstetrics clinic and birthing center (prenatal + neonatal care)
Outpatient specialty services (cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, nephrology, orthopedics, physical therapy)
Hospital will accept all patients regardless of insurance status (Medicaid, Medicare, CareSource, private, uninsured).
Facility will provide abortion services and maintain transfer agreements with surgical centers.
Strong labor provisions, including:
Use of project labor agreements on construction projects >$200,000
Minimum 15% of labor hours by state-registered apprentices
Neutrality on labor organizing campaigns, card-check recognition for unions
Hospital governed by an 11-member Board of Trustees (mayor, city reps, healthcare providers, community orgs, and public members).
Annual public reporting on performance, health outcomes, and accessibility.
In The News
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Issue 9?
A: Issue 9 is a citizen-initiated proposal to fund and operate a new public hospital in Dayton through a 1.00 mill property tax levy.
Q: When is voting?
A: Early Voting begins October 7th, and Election Day is November 4th.
Q: How much will this levy cost me?
A: Approximately $35 per year for every $100,000 in appraised property value, or less than $3 per month.
Q: Why does Dayton need a public hospital?
A: Since the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton residents lack nearby access to maternity wards, trauma care, and other essential medical services. This has contributed to the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the region.
Q: Who will be able to receive care?
A: All patients will be accepted, regardless of insurance status—including Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and the uninsured.
Q: How will the hospital benefit Dayton’s economy?
A: Hospitals are often major employers. Cleveland’s public hospital, MetroHealth, adds about $800 million each year to its local economy. A Dayton public hospital is expected to create thousands of good, stable jobs.
Q: How will workers’ rights be protected?
A: The hospital must use project labor agreements on construction and recognize employee unions through a card check process, ensuring fair wages, worker protections, and apprenticeship opportunities.
Q: Is this financially sustainable?
A: Yes. Cleveland’s MetroHealth System operates with less than 5% taxpayer subsidy. The Dayton Public Hospital is expected to follow a similar model, relying primarily on revenue from services rather than ongoing tax support.
Q: Who put this issue on the ballot?
A: Thousands of Dayton residents signed petitions to place Issue 9 on the ballot through the initiative process.
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