×

JFS placing second foster care levy on ballot

LISBON — Voters will be asked to approve a second levy to help pay for Columbiana County’s growing foster care program.

Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution to place a 0.75-mill levy on the ballot on the recommendation of county Department of Job and Family Services Director Eileen Dray-Bardon, who asked them to do so because the JFS needs the additional funding it would generate for the foster care program.

The first step in placing the levy on the ballot occurred the week before, when commissioners adopted a resolution directing the county auditor’s office to determine how much in property taxes a 0.75-mill levy would generate. The auditor’s office determined the levy will generate $1.32 million annually if passed by voters in the November election..

This would be in addition to the existing 0.75-mill children services levy that JFS uses exclusively to fund foster care. This levy generates $961,000 per year, but Dray-Bardon said that is no longer enough, forcing her to use the JFS cash balance to subsidize foster care operations.

Dray-Bardon told commissioners in April the number of children in foster care rose from 68 per month on average in 2014 to 95 last year, although it has declined so far in 2018. The JFS has been forced to use about $1 million a year in cash reserves to subsidize foster care and the balance will be gone if this continues, which is why she is pursuing a new levy.

The new levy would cost the owner of $100,000 home $49 a year in property taxes. This is in addition to the $23 the same homeowner is paying on the existing 0.75-mill levy, which was last renewed by voters in 2014.

Dray-Bardon said commissioners have left her no choice. “They have made it clear I will never get any money from the (county) general fund,” she said.

Dray-Bardon has attributed the spike in foster care placements to the county’s growing drug abuse problem, as more children are removed by courts from their drug-addled parent.

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? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today