Ross County — A request for a levy to rasie more funds to cover increasing costs for children’s services has created some disagreement in county government. As I reported in my previous story, the Executive Director of South Central Ohio Job & Family Services spoke to the Ross County Commissioners on June 24th.
Jody Walker said their existing 1 mil levy brings in about $1M a year, and it is only for Ross County children. He is proposing a new, additional, 1 mil levy that would bring in an additional $1.8M a year.
He also told the commissioners that he would like to aim for the spring 2025 election, instead of fall 2024, “to avoid too many voters.”
But, Ross County Auditor Jeff Lehner is pushing back, saying the county is flush with money and that the commissioners could give Children’s Services the needed funds.
In addition, the commissioners had voted to move ahead with the levy request. Lehner said he was unaware of that vote after he left the meeting…and I also missed it.
It was recorded in the commissioners’ approved minutes:
“…To approve the request from South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, to place a levy on the ballot this spring. The proposed levy, which will be used for Child Welfare, would be a new 1 mil for 5 years bringing in approximately $1.8 million dollars annually.“
Lehner and I were both under the impression that there would be more discussion on the subject before formal action would be taken.
When asked about that this Monday, president of the commissioners Dwight Garrett explained that:
“He [Walker] asked if he could put in some wording for a levy. We said yes, so it went to the [Ross County] Prosecuting Attorney. It does not come back to us for approval, and it hasn’t been sent to the Board of Elections.”
Garrett further clarified that the commissioners had voted to approve Walker’s action of preparing the wording for the levy, and then giving it to the Prosecuting Attorney (who also acts as the legal counsel for the county) – and that the formal process of delivering it to the Board of Elections has not started.
As Lehner emailed me in response to the discussion over the spring levy request:
“Ross County’s current cash position is too strong for the Commissioners to ask voters for new taxes at this time, especially in a way that proposes to minimize voters’ impact on the decision. There is ample time for this levy to make it to November’s ballot if that’s the route the Commissioners choose, and in that scenario we’re looking at a far higher turnout election in November than next Spring — meaning more taxpayers would weigh in on whether they want to pay more. Delaying this vote to avoid higher turnout is terrible form, and not what I think people want to see from this government.
“The County currently projects a $21 million carryover into 2025 with an additional $5 million currently earmarked as savings without a specific purpose. Under these circumstances I can’t possibly support asking Ross County taxpayers for more. If anything, they should pay less next year in light of this still-growing surplus.
“Many counties around Ohio provide general fund support for foster care and there’s no reason Ross County can’t do the same. The Commissioners would do well by taxpayers to look at this an alternative to asking taxpayers for more.
“Jeff Lehner
Auditor for Ross County, Ohio“
In response to Lehner’s statement, commissioners president Garrett told me Monday:
“I know Mr. Lehner sat up here when Jody [Walker] was presenting this to us, and said absolutely nothing. And I know that Mr. Lehner and the treasurer [David Jeffers] approached him and asked why they hadn’t run a levy since they were asking for money from the county.”
After he reviewed this story, I gave Auditor Lehner a last opportunity to respond:
“It’s true that the Treasurer & I met with JFS representatives to discuss their budget problems. It’s also true that I asked why they haven’t pursued a levy previously. That was factfinding related to my job’s fiscal duties — certainly not an endorsement of any tax hike.
“I left the June 24 meeting expecting that there would be a follow up conversation on how the County would proceed, but the commissioners apparently had other ideas. I hope they reconsider because I don’t think the path they’re on is right for Ross County. If they change their minds, I’m ready to help solve the problem.
“Jeff Lehner
Auditor for Ross County, Ohio”
Again, I had a long chat with Walker, who gave a fairly detailed explanation of his situation, as well as other aspects of Children’s Services including local facilities. You can watch the interview video below.
