Commissioners to meet July 12 to discuss additional children services levy
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
Highland County commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeff Duncan will meet in special session at the commissioners’ office in the Highland County Administration Building at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 to discuss a new children services levy.
The Highland County Press reported on June 22 that Highland County Job and Family Services has proposed an additional levy for children services on the November general election ballot.
Job and Family Services Director Katie Adams told commissioners that after cuts, the projected cost of children in care is $1.9 million annually and the current children services levy generates $520,000 annually.
[[In-content Ad]]
When Adams was appointed by commissioners last year, the estimated expense for children in custody was $2.4 million annually.
Since the current children services levy was passed by voters, the county has had an increase in the number of children in care of the county.
"Our levy was set up for 60 kids in care – in Highland County homes," Wilkin said last month. "We've lost foster parents because of costs or reimbursements.
"Last year, $1 million had to come out of a possible carryover. This drug issue is impacting all budgets. I know no one – including myself – wants to talk about a levy. In the next few weeks, this will have to be dealt with. Right now, it's coming straight out of the general fund. We set aside $600,000 this year, and we're still $1 million short."
The July 12 meeting is open to the public.
The Highland County Press reported on June 22 that Highland County Job and Family Services has proposed an additional levy for children services on the November general election ballot.
Job and Family Services Director Katie Adams told commissioners that after cuts, the projected cost of children in care is $1.9 million annually and the current children services levy generates $520,000 annually.
[[In-content Ad]]
When Adams was appointed by commissioners last year, the estimated expense for children in custody was $2.4 million annually.
Since the current children services levy was passed by voters, the county has had an increase in the number of children in care of the county.
"Our levy was set up for 60 kids in care – in Highland County homes," Wilkin said last month. "We've lost foster parents because of costs or reimbursements.
"Last year, $1 million had to come out of a possible carryover. This drug issue is impacting all budgets. I know no one – including myself – wants to talk about a levy. In the next few weeks, this will have to be dealt with. Right now, it's coming straight out of the general fund. We set aside $600,000 this year, and we're still $1 million short."
The July 12 meeting is open to the public.