Upcoming Board of DD levy big key to providing for community
The Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities continues to provide much-needed care for individuals and families who utilize its services. An upcoming levy in November will help the organization continue to serve the community.
Like all other public agencies, Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Holmes DD/Training Center) has struggled during the pandemic. Because people with developmental disabilities and medical complications are at higher risk for complications, extra precautions must be taken by Holmes DD/Training Center.
During the stay-at-home order, Holmes DD/Training Center was open with some services delivered in new ways and other services closed completely.
Currently, in-person large group adult services for people with developmental disabilities is one of the few services remaining “closed” throughout the state due to the governor’s order. However, small groups are deemed OK, so Holmes DD/Training Center has seen some adults return to services in small groups.
Starting in early August, a gradual return to in-person adult services began with more adults returning after Labor Day. For those adults not yet returned, Holmes DD/Training Center staff are providing limited services in family homes and community locations.
Holmes County Board of DD superintendent Marianne Mader wants readers to know that any rumors they may have heard that Holmes DD/Training Center adult services is not open or will not reopen are not true.
School students returned to the facility on Aug. 24 for weekly five-day in-person classes. The start of school was delayed by three days to allow adequate time for teachers, school staff and bus drivers to receive in-depth training on COVID-19 precautions, change room layouts, and develop new protocols for arriving, departing, cleaning, lunch time and how to safely use the gym, playground and library. Week one went without a hitch. Students and staff were happy to see each other and get back their comfortable routine.
According to Mader, the other news of great importance is the Holmes County Board of DD being on the Nov. 3 ballot with a 10-year, 1.8-mill levy renewal.
Mader shared her concern that some voters may question why Holmes DD is on the ballot twice in the same year.
“It’s a matter of timing,” Mader said.
Holmes DD is funded by three property tax levies. The first levy, originally passed in 1980, has a continuous term. This means the levy continues to collect funds without being voted on again.
Homeowners pay the same amount of tax today that they did in 1980 when that levy passed.
The second levy, originally passed in 1990, is a 2.5-mill levy, renewed every five years. This past March/April, Holmes County voters approved 1.25 additional mills be added to this levy.
The third levy, originally passed in 2001, is for 1.8 mills renewed every 10 years. The third levy is approaching the end of its second term and must be approved by voters to renew. Because of the terms of Holmes DD/Training Center levies, every 10 years two levy renewals will be voted upon within a short time frame.
Mader said, “When a levy renews, that means no new taxes for the voters.”
Mader went on to offer a thank you to Holmes County voters for their ongoing support of Holmes DD/Training Center and reminded voters the deadline for registering to vote is Oct. 5. Early voting (in person and by mail) is Oct. 6 through Nov. 2, and in-person voting at polling stations is Nov. 3.
Mader said this levy is critical to the agency providing ongoing quality care.
“Levy funds ensure caring continues,” Mader said.