By Carol McIntire
Editor
July 15, 2008

Commissioners balked at a request from the Carroll County Mental Retardatioin/Developmental Disabilities board to place a continuing tax levy on the November ballot.

MR/DD Superintendent Matt Campbell previously visited commissioners, asking for approval to place a 3.6 mill replacement levy on the November ballot for a continuing period of time. At that time, commissioners asked for clarification from Auditor E. Leroy VanHorne before taking action.

Campbell said the MR/DD board voted to combine an existing 2.8 mill levy and an existing 1 mill levy and to ask for a 3.6 mill continuing levy to replace them. Both levies expire this year. The two existing levies combined generate $1.7 million per year.

The replacement levy, based on 2007 valuation figures would generate $2.1 million. However, Campbell said the Budget Commission agreed to hold the collection to the $1.7 million level until the money is needed in the event the state cuts Medicaid voucher funds.

VanHorne verified the Budget Commission does have the authority to cut the levy back to current collection rates, and also has the authority to increase that amount up to the $2.1 million collection figure.

“The residents won’t have to pay more than they’re paying now unless the state cuts its Medicaid funding,” Campbell said.

Commissioner President Larry Garner told Campbell he will not support a continuing levy.

“Why can’t you do a renewal levy now and then come back to the voters when you need the money?” Garner asked. “You have a carryover of $1 million in one account and $500,000 in another. I will not support a continuous levy of any nature.”

Campbell said business is what he’s all about. “My degree is in business and I’m all about business,” Campbell said. “We have to have as much money as we do now to be able to draw down the state and federal funds. We are not going to increase taxes at this time, maybe down the road.”

He said the $1.5 million carryover is from a Medicaid settlement in 2005. “If you remember, before that settlement came in, we owed you (commissioners) over $700,000. We appreciate you carrying us like that, but I’ve been told we can’t do it again.”

Commissioner Tom Wheaton asked Campbell to consider changing the continuous levy to a 10 year levy. “Would that fit your needs?” he asked.

“I’m not opposed to a 10-year levy, but I have to ask the board,” Campbell replied.

Commissioner Bob Herron said he supported a continuous levy, much like the village fire department has, but for the sake of compromise, he will support a 10-year levy as well. Campbell said he would contact board members and have another resolution prepared for the July 21 meeting.

In other business, commissioners:
-LEARNED from Dog Warden Ken Ohler he will begin distributing discount spay/neuter forms at the county dog pound. The spay/neuter program is offered by the Carroll County Humane Society.

-CUT short a presentation by Robin McConnell concerning the dog pound. McConnell said she spent significant time investigating the matter and had information and suggestions for the county pound. Garner said due to health reasons, he had to cut her short, but said he would set up a time to meet with her and Ohler to discuss the matter.

-WERE visited by county resident Bill Miller who asked for updates on any changes made at the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) since his last visit several months ago.

-RECEIVED the weekly dog pound report showing eight impounded, seven tagged, one redeemed and one put to sleep at the owner’s request. There was one citation for no dog license.

-ACCEPTED a price quote from TLC Technologies of Minerva to consolidate and rewire the computer system in the commissioners office.

-SIGNED an agreement with The County Commissioners Association of Ohio for the workers’ compensation group rating plan.

The projected premium for 2008, to be paid in 2009, is $240,198, which a pooled savings of $43,293 for an estimated premium of $196,904.

-APPROVED a request from Recorder Pat Oyer to continue charging $4 for filing or recording documents for a period of five years, effective Oct. 1, 2008.

-APPOINTED Byron Fairclough to the MR/DD board to fill the remainder of Karl Schumacher’s term, which expires Jan. 1, 2009.