Seneca County commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider a .8-mill renewal levy for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot Counties.
"We have a $6.2 million cut from the state leaving a projected $2.8 million funding deficit for 2013," Nancy Cochran, executive director, said.
A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
A renewal levy does not seek additional funding and continues taking the same in taxes as the previous levy. It would appear on the November ballot.
Cochran still needs approval from the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board before getting the go ahead from commissioners to put it on the ballot.
Cochran said her board plans to make a decision on a renewal levy campaign by June 28.
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Seneca County commissioners Tuesday approved:
A fund advance of $125,000 from the General Fund to the Seneca County Agency Transportation Building Construction Fund.
An adjustment of $17,344.71 within the General Fund for reimbursement of contracted services in Eden Township with Clinton Fire.
An adjustment of $629.99 for child welfare cases through Job and Family Services.
A supplemental appropriation of $90,000 for Medicaid, food assistance and youth wages for the summer youth employment program offered through JFS.
A supplemental appropriation of $5,000 grant from National Machinery Foundation used for supplies and equipment at the Seneca County Youth Center.
A supplemental appropriation of $70,000 for the Workforce Investment Act Fund, a year-round work program offered to youth.
A supplemental appropriation of $1,018,565 to the Energy Improvement Construction Fund for Palmer Energy for county building improvements.
Authorizing the commissioners to sign the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Subsidy Grant Agreement to allow pre-sentencing investigations for parole officers, retroactive to June 5.
Appointing Board President Ben Nutter to represent the commissioners on public funds used for improving and repaving roads.
Resolutions to meet federal and bond regulations for Seneca County Sewer District.
"As long as your board decides to move ahead with it, we are in favor," Board President Ben Nutter said.
Several programs are at risk to lose funding, Cochran said.
They include "Parents Who Host, Lose the Most," a federally funded anti-drinking program; school counseling services; and family intervention court, a system allowing judges to talk to both children and parents, she said.
New board members will need to be appointed in November, Cochran said.
"The Seneca County Commissioners are responsible for appointing four of the 18 board members," she said.
The volunteer board is comprised of 18 Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot County residents appointed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services and the Seneca, Sandusky and Wyandot county commissioners.
"As an effort to save money, we will be merging the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services," Cochran said.
The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is commissioned by the state of Ohio to plan, monitor and fund mental health and alcohol/drug recovery services for residents of the member counties.
