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The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities will have a 2.4-mill additional levy on the November ballot.
The levy will bring in $15,522,964 annually for five years and will cost homeowners $84 per $100,000 of home valuation.
"The need is most specific for the operation and funding of programs that directly impact individuals and families served," said MCBDD Superintendent Bill Whitacre. "The largest portion of our funding is used to pay for waiver match dollars for the Medicaid waiver program. We also use funds to operate Leonard Kirtz School and our early intervention program. We have no plans to acquire land or build any new buildings but a portion of our funds are used to maintain current facilities, office infrastructure and supplies."
Whitacre said the current expenditures are roughly $32 million to $34 million annually, with approximately $15 million to $16 million being spent on the Medicaid waiver match.
"We currently collect around $18.5 million in property taxes with another $9 million to $10 million in revenue from other sources for a total revenue budget of nearly $28 million,” he said. "The proposed new levy would take our property tax collections to a little over $33.5 million (if we receive 100% collections).”
Whitacre added if this new levy passes, MCBDD will not seek renewal of its 2-mill levy next year that was originally passed in 1993.
"That would then reduce levy collections by almost $6 million from the $33.5 million down to $27.5 million," he said. "The net impact of passing the new 2.4-mill levy and allowing the 1993 2-mill levy to expire would be an increase of $57.20 annually for the owner of a $100,000 home."
As for the Medicaid waiver match, Whitacre said the match dollars are today coming from local sources.
"Many years ago, the state of Ohio paid all match dollars for the Medicaid waiver program," he said. "Over 20 years ago, that responsibility was delegated to local county boards of DD. As it stands today, county boards of DD pay more for the Medicaid waiver program than the state of Ohio does."
Whitacre said the 2.4-mill additional levy would help MCBDD continue meeting the needs of the community.
"We strive to meet our mission every day, which is providing opportunities that maximize quality of life for people with disabilities through collaboration and connection to the community," he said, "Our board wants to maintain services for the citizens of Mahoning County to help individuals reach their full potential. Approval of this levy would allow our board to continue to meet the needs of our community so that people are not placed on waiting lists or go without assistance due to a lack of funding."