Children’s Services reports 137 in custody, seeks May levy renewal and $280,000 advance

Adams County Children’s Services Executive Director Sonya Meyer told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 that the department will seek a May 2026 1‑mill renewal levy to fund operations of Wilson Children’s Home and a new dormitory. Meyer reported that 137 children are currently in custody, with 15 residing in the county home and 122 placed in foster or kinship settings.

Meyer said the new dormitory was grant funded and that the department leases a fleet of vehicles from Enterprise, which she said eliminates mileage fees and “saves the county thousands each month.” Prosecuting Attorney Aaron Haslam told the board the Children’s Services Board needs to do the footwork to educate the public about how levy dollars are used and noted the board has access to 501(c)(4) donations to support advocacy for the levy.

Children’s Services requested an advance of available 2026 levy funds in the amount of $280,000 to cover day‑to‑day operating costs until levy revenue arrives in March 2026; no formal board approval of an advance appears in the meeting minutes. Meyer told commissioners the new dormitory’s estimated completion date is May 2026; inspections by the Department of Youth Services and the State of Ohio are required before a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

Meyer also provided year‑to‑date statistics: 18 adoptions of children in custody during 2025 and plans to apply for new opioid grant opportunities in 2026. The board did not record a vote on the requested $280,000 advance during the Jan. 5 session.