At the September meeting of the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) the board voted to reduce the 2.95 mill levy passed by voters in 2012 by 50 percent (1.48 mills) in 2018. The decision comes after completing the budget forecast for 2018 and reviewing an extensive list of cost-saving measures. The levy was not collected in 2017.
WCBDD Superintendent Brent Baer said, “The WCBDD is proud of our commitment to fiscal responsibility, while maintaining the focus on persons served. The board will continue to review its utilization of levy dollars as it prepares for projected growth and increased need for services.”
As enrollment in home and community based service (HCBS) waivers continue to incline at a historic pace with continued growth in the foreseeable future, there remains a steady need for local waiver dollars to support individuals served by WCBDD. Additionally, the funds support a rapidly growing Early Intervention Program, Wood Lane School, Nursing Services, Occupational Therapy Services, Provider Supports, and specialty programs such as Special Olympics and Operations Recreation.
Individuals served by the WCBDD also face a housing shortage, as access to safe, affordable, and accessible housing is competitive in the area and often do not meet the accessibility needs. This year WCBDD worked with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to secure $552,340 of Community Capital Assistance to develop housing that meets the needs of individuals served. Several more developments are planned for the future.
Board President Ed Metzger added, “The board takes our commitment to the taxpayers of Wood County and to the people we serve very serious. By reducing the collection of the 2.95 mill levy we feel we have provided tax relief to the people of Wood County while also ensuring safe and high quality programs for our citizens with developmental disabilities at a time of swift and monumental change throughout the DD landscape at the state and national levels.”
