Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities tax levy on general election ballot

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WOWK) — Ohio’s General Election has just wrapped up, and that was on the ballot in Lawrence County is the future of developmental disability services.

Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities (LCDD) says the current tax levy rate has remained the same since 2006 and does not fluctuate when homes are reassessed.

A homeowner whose property is assessed at $100,000 pays approximately $70 in taxes to go toward these programs. However, if approved, this levy would increase that amount by 125%.

13 News spoke with voters who say they’re “for” the increase because they believe it will help kids who need these services, but others say they believe the amount they’re asking for is too much.

“It’s not their fault to be born the way they are, and these kids need every bit of help they can get and all the love they can get,” Valencia Royal says.

One voter who prefers to remain anonymous says they’re against the levy because “it’s going to raise everybody’s property taxes, and the way everything is right now, I don’t feel that people can afford that.”

LCDD representatives say that if the levy does not pass, they may be looking at challenges that could affect their services.

LCDD operates an “Open Door School,” which provides a distraction-free learning environment for kids with developmental disabilities. They also offer early intervention programs, which help younger kids who are not of grade school age.

These resources are currently free, but the LCDD says they will face funding obstacles if the tax rate increase is not passed.13 News will have the updated results of the levy vote once they’re released.