The Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) is seeking a tax levy replacement to address rising costs and increased demand for services.
The proposed levy would maintain the rate of 3 mills but update the valuation to reflect current property values, according to a community announcement. This means homeowners would see an increase in annual costs from $84.17 to $105 for a home valued at $100,000, according to the announcement.
Additionally, the board is looking to extend the levy’s term from five to 10 years, aiming for long-term financial stability and fewer ballot renewals.
“While the costs of doing business continue to rise, levies depreciate with time,” Cheryl Plaster, MCBDD superintendent, said in the announcement. “A replacement levy is not additional millage, but keeps the County Board collecting at today’s tax rate. We are thankful for the value that voters see in our work and want to continue to be a robust resource for those in Marion County with developmental disabilities.”
The levy proposal is currently under review by the Marion County Board of Elections.
MCCBD serves children and adults
MCBDD serves about 1,000 individuals in Marion County, offering services such as early childhood intervention, residential support, job training, employment services, family assistance and Special Olympics programming, according to the announcement.
Since the last levy was passed in 2020, the board has seen a significant increase in demand, adding over 200 people to its caseloads and experiencing a state-mandated 36% increase in waiver costs, according to the announcement.
“We are happy to see that people are finding us for support, but obviously that puts a strain on our budget,” Travis Harrah, director of operations, said in the announcement. “We are confident with a replacement levy we can sustain through 2035 at the current rates and service projections.”
Learn more at the next Business After Hours
The public is invited to learn more about MCBDD’s services at the Marion Area Chamber Business After Hours event, scheduled for 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the board’s facility, 2387 Harding Highway E.
Founded in 1967 as part of a statewide initiative to provide alternatives to institutional care, MCBDD continues its mission to help individuals with developmental disabilities live, learn and earn in their local communities. The organization is funded through a combination of local tax dollars and state and federal funds.
For more information, visit marioncountydd.org.
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