Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Developmental Disabilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Huron County Developmental Disabilities board seeks 10-year levy renewal amid budget concerns
Summary
The Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities presented a five-year cash projection showing a negative operating balance and requested permission to seek a 10-year renewal levy (up to 1.00 mill); the commissioners adopted a resolution of necessity to request auditor certification.
Kari Smith, superintendent of the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities (HCBDD), told the commissioners on Tuesday that the board's five-year cash projection shows the agency is operating at a negative balance and will exhaust funds by 2029 even if the proposed levy renewal passes.
Smith said enrollment and provider rates have increased, raising costs; the DD Board is asking to renew its existing 1.00-mill levy for 10 years rather than five to provide longer-term fiscal stability. She said the board has reduced costs where possible, applied for grants and is exploring shared services (including some shared services with Job and Family Services) and joining county health insurance to save money. Skip Wilde, a member of the DD Board, explained that adding new homes to the district's tax base can lower the effective tax paid per household even when the levy amount is unchanged.
Commissioners adopted a resolution of necessity, as required by state law, to submit a renewal levy (not to exceed 1.00 mill) to the electors of Huron County on the Nov. 4 ballot and directed the clerk to certify the resolution to the auditor so revenue and valuation figures can be calculated.
Smith said the board hopes the renewal will prevent cuts to services and staff, but warned that without sufficient funding the board may need to evaluate program reductions in future budgets.
