Volunteer and former trustee urges support for Stark County developmental disabilities levy

Dan Sutter, a volunteer and former trustee of the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Start DD), urged North Canton officials and residents to support Issue 1 on the November ballot.

Sutter told council the board’s services touch the lives of “over 5,000 individuals in our county, and 700 individuals receive the services right here,” and he described Start DD’s role in providing early intervention, preschool supports and services that help people live and work in the community. He said the board collaborates with more than 200 private agencies and provider organizations and with local law enforcement on investigations of abuse and neglect.

Sutter said Start DD’s population and costs have risen over the past decade: “we provide lifelong, high quality services to a growing population, serving 43% more than we did a decade ago,” and he said costs have increased substantially over that period. He said Issue 1 would raise an additional continuous levy described in the remarks as “1,600,000,” and said passage is critical to avoid cuts. The transcript records the levy amount and an estimated homeowner cost in unclear figures; the exact levy language and rate should be confirmed from the county’s official ballot materials.

Sutter reminded listeners that early voting runs Oct. 7–Nov. 2 and that Election Day is Nov. 4. Council members asked follow-up questions about drivers of the increase in service numbers and costs; Sutter responded that the number of people served has grown from about 4,100 two years ago to more than 5,000 now.

No formal council action on the public comment was recorded in the transcript; the remarks were part of the meeting’s public comment period.