Levy Fact Sheet Brochure

Important Levy Facts

Polling Places

If interested in writing a letter to the editor, you can drop off your letter at the Preble County Board of MR/DD, 201 E. Lexington Road, Eaton, Ohio, 45320. All letters will be submitted to area newspapers for publication. Or you can send your letter to the following:
The Register-Herald                       The Palladium-Item
1332 N. Barron Street                     PO Box 308
Eaton, Ohio 45320                           Richmond, IN 47375

The deadline for publication in The Register-Herald is Friday, July 11, 2008.
If submitting a letter to the Palladium-Item, please keep letters to 300 words and submit them by July 28, 2008.

Levy Announcements:

• We will be Issue 2 on the August 5th ballot.

• Look for billboards about the levy at these locations: 1) US 40 westbound near National Trail schools; 2) US 40 east of Lewisburg; 3) US 35 east in Glenwood; 4) US 127 south near the ice cream stand in West Manchester.

• If you would like a yard sign or are interested in helping with the campaign, please call L&M Products at (937) 456-7141 or the County Board of MRDD offices at 456-5891.

•  If you aren’t registered to vote, please call the County Board offices or the Preble County Board of Elections at 456-8117. The deadline to register to vote for the August 5th election is July 7, 2008. If you wish to vote by absentee ballot, you can request an “Application for Absent Voter’s Ballot” form from the County Board of Elections or the County Board of MRDD. An application by mail must be received by the Preble County Board of Elections by noon on Friday, August 1. An application by you in person must be received by the close of regular board office hours by Monday, August 4. Applications for persons who are hospitalized due to a medical emergency will be accepted until 3 p.m. on August 5th.

Please note that all levy materials, be it billboards, brochures, yard signs, mailings, postage, etc., are paid for by donations to the “Citizens for Preble County MRDD and L&M Products Levy Committee, 201 E. Lexington Road, Eaton, Ohio 45320.” Russell H. Robert, Treasurer.

Greetings Preble County Citizens:

On August 5 th the Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) will ask voters to consider a very important tax levy.   I would like to take this opportunity to share with you facts that you may find important in making an informed decision.

I will provide you information in a question and answer format.   Because of the beauty of technology, I’m able to log in remotely to my work e-mail while I’m on vacation. It’s important to me that you know I’m not working on the campaign during work hours.

Q: What is the levy about? The levy will benefit the individuals who receive services from the Preble County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (PCBMRDD), L&M Products, Inc.and other programs and services offered by the PCBMRDD. The purpose of the levy is to provide continued funding for operating existing programs, which include transportation provided for the adult service program (L&M Products, Inc.), residential services, early intervention programs and case management. All tax dollars generated from this levy for the PCBMRDD and L&M Products stay right here in Preble County to serve Preble County residents with MRDD.  

Q: Why are your running a special election instead of waiting and running in a general election? Without additional funding from Preble County residents, the agency will be forced to cut 25% of its budget, which means the elimination of all transportation to and from L&M Products, the full-time nursing position at L&M Products, all early intervention services and other positions within the agency. When services are cut, the law requires each individual be given their rights to a hearing.   The law further requires the agency maintain ALL services during the hearings.   If the levy fails and the board is required to cut services we will need more than six weeks to complete the necessary requirements and balance the budget by January 1, 2009.  

Q: How are you paying for the special election? The board is using one-time settlement money to fund the election.   NO local tax dollars are being used.  

Q: What is your annual budget? The agency has a $2.3 million annual budget

Q: How many people does the MRDD Board serve and how does that compare to 1987 when the last new millage was requested? In 1987, the agency served 140 people. The total enrollment in May 2008 was 282 individuals, more than doubling the agency’s caseload for services.

Q: Does the board have a waiting list for services? Yes! The agency currently has approximately 120 individuals on its waiting list for residential services and supports. The early intervention program, that provides services to children birth through age two, currently has 12 children on the waiting list. In May 2008, there was a need to establish a waiting list for transportation to L&M Products. Currently, students who just graduated from high school and are eligible for board services have been placed on the transportation waiting list.

Q: What will the levy cost me as a property owner? This is a 1.0 mill continuing levy. This means that property with an assessed value of $100,000 will be taxed $30.63 a year or approximately 10 cents a day. Seniors who participate in the Homestead Exemption will pay LESS than 10 cents a day. These few cents a day will continue to provide current mental retardation and/or developmentally disability (MR/DD) services to 282 of Preble County’s most vulnerable citizens.

Q: Why a continuing levy? When the board makes a commitment to support an individual with MRDD with a residential waiver, by law, they are required to financially support the individual for the duration of their life or until they can no longer live in a community setting.   The board takes this responsibility very seriously.   As I’m sure you can appreciate, when individuals begin to age their needs naturally increase. The board is required to ensure that it is able to fulfill its obligations for the lifetime of the individual.

Q: Just how cost-effective is the Preble County Board of MR/DD? Preble County MRDD is the most cost-effective way to provide residential services. Theaverage annualized residential cost of care forindividuals with mental retardation in PrebleCounty is $38,600.The State of Ohio nursing home (ICFMR)annual cost of care is $82,902.If an individual with MR/DD were to live at anOhio developmental center (institution), theannual cost to taxpayers is $123,294.

Q: Why is it so important that this tax levy be passed now and what other information do I need to know to make an informed decision? Individuals who work in the community or at L&M Products earn paychecks and are taxpayers, giving back to their community. Without transportation, they will be unable to work and may require increased public assistance to help support themselves. In Preble County, 19 individuals with MR/DD still live at home and receive care from a parent, grandparent or family member age 60 and older.At PCBMRDD, the oldest adult receivingservices is 86 years old; the youngest is fourmonths old.Without additional funding from Preble Countyresidents, the agency will be forced to cut 25% of its budget, which means the elimination of all transportation to and from L&M Products, the full-time nursing position, all early intervention services and other positions within the agency.

Q: How can I learn more about the agency? On July 7 th from 9-4 we will host an Open House. Please stop by and tour the agency at 201 E. Lexington Rd. Eaton, Ohio or visit us on the web at www.preblemrdd.org. If the time of the Open House isn’t convenient please contact us at 456-5891 and we’ll make arrangements to give you a tour at a time that works for you and your schedule.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration regarding this very important matter. Please feel free to ask additional questions and I will be happy to respond.

Sincerely,

Diane Knupp, Superintendent

Preble MRDD

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On Tuesday, August 5^th, a special election will be held throughout Preble County. Voters are being asked to consider a 1-mill levy for the individuals who receive services from the Preble County Board of MR/DD and L&M products. The following polling locations will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are unsure of where to vote, please call the Preble County Board of Elections at (937) 456-8117.