VOTE411 Voter Guide

Replacement, 1.4 mills, 5 years, commencing in 2025.Stark County’s 1.4-mill property tax levy that supports the care and placement of abused, neglected and delinquent children has been supported by county voters every five years since 1990.  Twenty years ago voters approved a replacement levy at the same 1.4-mill amount, allowing it to apply to property values in effect at the time and to generate $12,680,000 each year. Five years ago voters renewed that levy.This year County Commissioners are asking voters to again replace the 1.4-mill property tax and have it apply to new property values. If approved, Issue 3 will generate $18,733,000 each year for 5 years.  It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $49 each year. The remainder of the budget for children’s services—about 65%--comes from the State of Ohio & the federal government, and grants.The department has reduced staff from a high of 183 down to 160, but costs for placement of children with high intensity behavioral and mental health problems has skyrocketed. Last year such placements exceeded $11 million. According to the Executive Director of Stark County Job & Family Services, daily costs for Ohio group home placements have increased 75% since 2019.  Costs for residential placements are up 62%, despite intense negotiations with providers to reduce costs, and the number of children needing such placements has increased significantly as well.Passage of Issue 3 would fund salaries and benefits for employees who are responsible for conducting investigations of alleged child abuse and neglect, performing home visits or paying nonprofit organizations to do home visits of children in its care, getting children ready for adoption, and teaching life skills to older teens. The levy also funds costs of placing abused and neglected children with relatives or foster parents, both of which require licensure of a home before a child can be placed.Last year Children’s Services employees followed up on nearly 8,000 reports of abuse and neglect, and provided care or placement for about 500 children. Of those, more than 150 children per year are able to be placed with relatives, and in 2024 the department finalized the adoption of 105 children.