Voters may face tough national races on Election Day, but we think they have some more important choices in Greene County as several local levies need to be renewed.

We are urging you to say yes to our local renewal issues on Nov. 8.

Greene Memorial Hospital’s Issue 22 renewal levy continues the .5 mill levy for five years for current expenses. It generates $1.7 million per year from county residents, and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $13.79 per year. This renewal levy serves the more than 100,000 patients that utilize this facility right in Xenia. The emergency department alone served more than 22,000 patients last year.

Having a hospital in Xenia that not only provides a trauma center, but also inpatient and outpatient services, which are essential to our health and well-being. It also employs more than 400 people, many of which live right here in Greene County.

The Greene County Career Center Issue 18 renewal levy continues the .75 mill levy for permanent improvements and generates approximately $2.2 million yearly. This levy costs a $100,000 homeowner approximately $17 per year. As our youth enter the career center, it is essential that the facility keep up with technology and prepare our youth for work critical to our region.

These county-wide levies and are crucial to the services they provide our residents and population of young people every day.

Beavercreek Township, Bowersville, Cedarville Township, Cedarville Village, Jamestown, Jefferson Township, Ross Township, Spring Valley Township, Spring Valley Village and Sugarcreek Township are all asking for their levies to be renewed. These levies continue to support roads, bridges, current expenses, fire and EMS services and these municipalities in general.

They need these funds renewed to continue the level of services and care its residents require.

Budgets are tight for all of us, but these levies don’t raise taxes — they keep our communities and important services going. So please say yes to our renewals on Election Day.