Commissioners cool to request for endorsement of Paint Valley ADAMH levy
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Juni Frey, executive director of the Paint Valley ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health) Services Board, sought the support of the Highland County Board of Commissioners this week for a replacement levy on the November general election ballot.
Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer listened Wednesday as Frey explained recent cuts in state funding and why the board was asking taxpayers for a 1-mill replacement levy.
"Over the last 10 years, we keep getting less and less money (from the state)," Frey said. "Our 2010 funding was less than it was five years ago from the state."
Frey said the current levy has been in place for 30 years, thanks to renewals by voters.
She said approximately $2 million annually is collected through the existing levy.
"(Approximately) $3.8 million would be brought in (with the replacement levy)," Frey said. "With the cuts we've had, we're really less able to provide services."
Frey said the replacement levy, if passed, would cost taxpayers more than twice their current rate, as the tax on a $100,000 property would increase from $15.95 to $35.
In a handout to commissioners, Frey compared the current tax and the proposed increase as the difference between paying four cents per day and 10 cents per day, every day, over the course of the levy.
"I don't think a replacement levy will pass in this economy," Horst told Frey. "People are going to look at this as a new tax (which it is). You're talking about doubling the amount people will pay. I don't think it will go through."
Shaffer then asked Frey: "What if it (the levy) fails?"
"We are funded through the end of next year," Frey said. "We could go again (with a levy) in the primary election and next fall."
"I think you have a better chance with a renewal," Horst said.
Frey mentioned other Ohio counties where replacement levies have been approved by voters.
"My personal opinion is there is a little more knowledge here between renewal and replacement," Wilkin said. "I think you will be dealing with a more knowledgeable voting pool. I think it will be a battle."
"What's your backup plan?" Shaffer asked.
"Two more tries (at a levy), maybe a special election," Frey said.
Commissioners took no action on the request to support the levy.
***
In another PV ADAMH matter, Frey informed commissioners that longtime Hillsboro educator Jim Hopkins has resigned from the board, after serving, off and on, since 1989.
"He's done an excellent job representing Highland County," Frey said of Hopkins.
She said the board is looking for a new representative from Highland County and asked commissioners for their suggestions.
Wilkin said commissioners would be happy to assist, but would also take the matter under legal advisement, in light of other recent board appointments.
The commissioners' appointment of Sam Snyder to the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities earlier this year was recently challenged by Board of DD Superintendent Chuck Biggert.
***
Elsewhere:
Commissioners to conduct
public hearing on budget review
The Highland County Board of Commissioners will conduct the 2012 Budget Review Hearing on July 20 at 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room at 119 Governor Foraker Place, Hillsboro. The 2012 Proposed General Fund is $8,469,285.45 and the proposed Non-General Fund is $25,214,061.39.
***
Bids opened
Commissioners opened bids on street improvements as follows:
For Beech Street, Hillsboro, improvements, these bids were submitted:
• $39,862.50 from Cox Paving;
• $30,749.92 from Roberts Paving.
For Lafayette Street, Greenfield, improvements:
• $18,996.72 from Brad Evans;
• $20,026.50 from GradeCo Paving;
• $19,971 from Cox Paving.
After bids were opened, Wilkin asked engineer Mike McCarty to review all of the bids. McCarty replied that he would and "should have an answer by the end of the week."[[In-content Ad]]
Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer listened Wednesday as Frey explained recent cuts in state funding and why the board was asking taxpayers for a 1-mill replacement levy.
"Over the last 10 years, we keep getting less and less money (from the state)," Frey said. "Our 2010 funding was less than it was five years ago from the state."
Frey said the current levy has been in place for 30 years, thanks to renewals by voters.
She said approximately $2 million annually is collected through the existing levy.
"(Approximately) $3.8 million would be brought in (with the replacement levy)," Frey said. "With the cuts we've had, we're really less able to provide services."
Frey said the replacement levy, if passed, would cost taxpayers more than twice their current rate, as the tax on a $100,000 property would increase from $15.95 to $35.
In a handout to commissioners, Frey compared the current tax and the proposed increase as the difference between paying four cents per day and 10 cents per day, every day, over the course of the levy.
"I don't think a replacement levy will pass in this economy," Horst told Frey. "People are going to look at this as a new tax (which it is). You're talking about doubling the amount people will pay. I don't think it will go through."
Shaffer then asked Frey: "What if it (the levy) fails?"
"We are funded through the end of next year," Frey said. "We could go again (with a levy) in the primary election and next fall."
"I think you have a better chance with a renewal," Horst said.
Frey mentioned other Ohio counties where replacement levies have been approved by voters.
"My personal opinion is there is a little more knowledge here between renewal and replacement," Wilkin said. "I think you will be dealing with a more knowledgeable voting pool. I think it will be a battle."
"What's your backup plan?" Shaffer asked.
"Two more tries (at a levy), maybe a special election," Frey said.
Commissioners took no action on the request to support the levy.
***
In another PV ADAMH matter, Frey informed commissioners that longtime Hillsboro educator Jim Hopkins has resigned from the board, after serving, off and on, since 1989.
"He's done an excellent job representing Highland County," Frey said of Hopkins.
She said the board is looking for a new representative from Highland County and asked commissioners for their suggestions.
Wilkin said commissioners would be happy to assist, but would also take the matter under legal advisement, in light of other recent board appointments.
The commissioners' appointment of Sam Snyder to the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities earlier this year was recently challenged by Board of DD Superintendent Chuck Biggert.
***
Elsewhere:
Commissioners to conduct
public hearing on budget review
The Highland County Board of Commissioners will conduct the 2012 Budget Review Hearing on July 20 at 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room at 119 Governor Foraker Place, Hillsboro. The 2012 Proposed General Fund is $8,469,285.45 and the proposed Non-General Fund is $25,214,061.39.
***
Bids opened
Commissioners opened bids on street improvements as follows:
For Beech Street, Hillsboro, improvements, these bids were submitted:
• $39,862.50 from Cox Paving;
• $30,749.92 from Roberts Paving.
For Lafayette Street, Greenfield, improvements:
• $18,996.72 from Brad Evans;
• $20,026.50 from GradeCo Paving;
• $19,971 from Cox Paving.
After bids were opened, Wilkin asked engineer Mike McCarty to review all of the bids. McCarty replied that he would and "should have an answer by the end of the week."[[In-content Ad]]