12/25/2025

Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities to seek levy in May

Heather Chapin

Lorain County commissioners recently passed a resolution allowing Murray Ridge Center to seek a levy during the May 5 primary election.

Amber Fisher, superintendent of the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities, also known as Murray Ridge Center, attended the county commission’s board meeting Dec. 19 to explain the “absolutely essential nature of this ballot issue.”

Murray Ridge Center serves more than 3,000 Lorain County residents who have developmental disabilities.

Murray Ridge is seeking a levy in excess of the 10-mill limitation for Development Disabilities at 0.85 mills for five years. If passed, it would start collection in 2027, according to county documents.

All county voters will be asked to decide the levy.

The Murray Ridge Center offers early intervention for children from birth until 3 years of age who are experiencing developmental delays.

More than 1,100 infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities receive services through Murray Ridge Center, Fisher said.

The Murray Ridge Center includes Murray Ridge School, which educates the county’s children with the most significant disabilities whether it’s medical, intellectual or behavioral challenges.

“The returns are enormous in terms of the lifelong impact that these early intervention services provide over the lifetime of the children,” Fisher said. “We’re very proud of our school and need this levy to continue to operate.”

The Murray Ridge Center also provides adults with disabilities with vocational opportunities.

“We truly appreciate the citizens of Lorain County. And, at Murray Ridge, we work every single day to try to be very good stewards of public funds,” Fisher said.