The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities will ask voters to support a renewal tax.
At its June 12 meeting, board members approved a resolution seeking formal approval from the Wood County Commissioners to place a renewal tax of 2.45 mills on the Nov. 7 ballot.
In 2013, the tax was approved at 2.95 mills but was reduced to 2.45 mill when it was last approved in 2018.
That five-year levy is set to expire at the end of this year.
“The levy represents 25.3% of our total budget so it is very important to us for our overall operations,” said Superintendent Brent Baer.
It is expected to raise $8.44 million annually and cost the owner of a home with a appraised value of $100,000, $69 annually, according to the Wood County Auditor’s office.
The county board serves people with developmental disabilities from birth to death, and the oldest person currently receiving services is 89 years old, Baer said.
The growth rate of people served has increased 41% in the 10 years since the levy was first approved, from 899 to 1,270.
For children under the age of 21, the board has experienced 56.5% growth for the decade, from 478-748.
“We continue to grow and when we receive a phone call about eligibility … if you’re eligible, it’s our job to get people enrolled,” Baer said.
He said the board was proud the request is for a renewal and not new funds.
As of Wednesday, the resolution has not yet gone before the commissioners for approval.
Baer explained Ohio Revised Code requires the county board to get the levy request certified by the commissioners.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Awarded a $50,000 grant to Kan du Group Inc., whose proposal was broken down into two distinct parts that support the development of a new Adult Day Service location in northern Wood County.
The first part includes the equipment needed to create a safe and accessible environment that meets the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act. The cost to build the project is $25,350.
The second part includes the equipment and installation necessary to develop an art studio and sensory room at the new location. The cost of the sensory project is $24,697.
• Updated Wood Lane School’s 2023-24 calendar to include no school on April 8. The primary viewing of the solar eclipse is expected in the afternoon, which could severely disrupt the transportation routes home.
• Approved the payment of $25,000 for the 2023 annual contribution to Wood County Family and Children First Council. WCBDD has financially contributed to the council on an annual basis since 2019.
• Authorized the superintendent to seek bids for the multi-system youth property and site development with a project estimate of $1.5 million.
The 2023 capital plan includes funding for the 20-acre parcel designated for the construction of two multi-system youth homes.
The project will involve all preliminary site work required to develop the existing farmland into a parceled “subdivision.” Site grading, drainage and water detention, utilities (including municipal water and sewer, electric, natural gas), plus street and curb construction are all included in this phase.
The Bowling Green Planning Commission is expected to approve the project at its July 5 meeting.
Bid opening is anticipated in late August with the start of construction projected for mid-October.
• Approved the property, liability, auto, violence, cyber and pollution insurance package offered by the Ohio School Plan – Hylant Administrative Services at a cost of $56,504.
• Recognized Beth Fyffe, intervention specialist who retired on May 31. She began her career in service to individuals with developmental disabilities at WCBDD in May 1990 as a residential assistant and served as the teacher of the senior classroom of Wood Lane School for the past 14 years.
