×

Voters should pass DD, recovery levies

Voters should approve levy renewals for the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board.

Both boards have proven records for helping residents.

Both levies are 10-year renewals. The 1.7-mill DD levy first was approved by voters in 1992. The 0.5-mill prevention and recovery board levy first was approved in 1976.

The DD levy generates about $1.4 million, about 14 percent of the board’s budget. It is used to pull down $2 million in federal matching funds.

The levy generates about $390,000. The board has an operating budget of $2.6 million.

County taxpayers have a special place in their hearts for the residents served by the development disabilities board, which does a good job of providing services to the youth through the School of Bright Promise. Children with severe autism are served by the board’s Regional Spectrum Center. Services for adults are changing in form, as per federal orders, giving them more choices. There are about 35 adults serviced through the board who are working in the community.

The prevention and recovery board contracts services through Coleman Professional Services and Family Recovery Center. Coleman provides mental health and housing services, and family recovery provides alcohol and drug addiction services, as well as educational efforts in schools on the dangers of substance abuse.

Federal and state funding for mental health and substance abuse have declined at a time when the need has grown. Jefferson County has a serious problem with heroin and pain-pill addiction. One in four people has a mental health problem and one in six has an addiction issue.

Both the developmental disabilities and prevention and recovery boards service individuals who can’t pay on their own.

Without the levies, these vulnerable residents would be left without the help they so desperately need. The cost to owners of a $100,000 house will range from slightly less than $5 a year for prevention and recovery to $78 a year for DD.

That isn’t a lot to pay to help those in need.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today