02/02/2026

Developmental disabilities levy to appear on Washington County ballots in May

Chase Campbell

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) - Washington County voters will decide in May whether to support a levy funding the county Board of Developmental Disabilities, with the agency warning that rejection could force cuts to early intervention services for infants and toddlers.

The levy would add 0.95 mills for five years, costing homeowners about $33.25 annually per $100,000 of property value.

Board Superintendent Tiffany Neill said the levy would allow the agency to meet its mandated local Medicaid match for individuals receiving home and community-based services. County boards of developmental disabilities are the only local entities in Ohio required by law to use property tax revenue to fund the state’s federal Medicaid match.

The levy would also preserve early intervention services for children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities. Unlike the Medicaid waiver match, early intervention isn’t mandated by state law, making it vulnerable to cuts if funding falls short.

The board serves more than 700 individuals with developmental disabilities annually across their entire lifespan. In 2025, in addition to the 239 infants and toddlers the board supported through early intervention, the board served 120 students ages three-22 through specialized education programs and 499 individuals age three through adulthood through case management services.

Neill acknowledged the financial pressures facing taxpayers, which she believes contributed to voters rejecting a replacement levy in 2025.

“We understand that they’re being hit in different directions with other levies and just the cost of groceries, those types of things,” she said. “So we are hoping the lesser amount will be more appealing to the taxpayers.”

The board’s current 3.6-mill levy, approved in 2003, now generates revenue equivalent to just 1.86 mills due to property value calculations that effectively reduce levy collections over time. Levy dollars represent approximately 67% of the board’s total funding, with waiver costs having risen 156% over the past five years.

If voters reject the May levy, Neill said the board may seek to place it on the November general election ballot if county commissioners permit. If it fails then, the board would need to consider discontinuing early intervention services in 2027.