Mahoning County developmental disabilities board asks to put new levy on fall ballot to cover state—0Medicaid match increases

The Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities asked county commissioners on June 25 for permission to place a new "new money" levy on the fall ballot to cover a sharp increase in the local Medicaid waiver-match obligation.

Bill Whitaker, superintendent of the board, said the state's 2023 increase in waiver reimbursement rates expanded the value of services delivered in the county from roughly $60 million to nearly $100 million and increased the board's local match from about $9 million to nearly $17 million annually. "That is a huge hit to our bottom line," Whitaker said, adding that the board ran a $5.8 million deficit last year and projects that shortfall to grow above $6 million this year unless new revenue arrives.

The board does not have inside millage or an automatic tax escalator to keep pace with growing costs, Whitaker said, and he warned commissioners that, depending on future settlements and truing-up of services, the board could exhaust carryover funds and need extraordinary advances or deeper cuts by 2028 or 2029. He said the agency serves more than 2,000 people across early-intervention, waiver and day-program services and that many of the dollars redirected into the county economy support nearly 1,000 local jobs.

Commissioners and board members emphasized the human and fiscal stakes. Jody Kale, a board member and parent of a person served by the board, said these are "lifelong services" that help people remain in their communities and that cuts would both harm families and likely raise long-term state spending. "Cutting these services would be devastating not only to the individuals and families but would cost the state more money," Kale said.

Whitaker gave a taxpayer example to illustrate the local impact: the auditor's office would certify the levy amount, and he estimated it would cost about $84 a year on a $100,000 home at the board's current effective rate assumption, subject to final certification by the county auditor. He urged a public education effort if the board proceeds to a ballot measure.

The clerk read a formal resolution declaring it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation and requesting certification from the Mahoning County Auditor. Commissioners voiced support during discussion; the transcript records a commissioner saying, "put it on the ballot," and commissioners later discussed the need to educate voters, but the transcript does not include a formal recorded roll-call vote specifically adopting the levy resolution in that moment. The resolution language was read into the record and will require formal certification by the auditor and any subsequent official motions to place it on the ballot.

The board and commissioners framed the request as a pre-emptive measure to avoid more drastic service cuts. Whitaker said the waiver-match line is the single largest locally funded expense and that, without new revenue, the board may have to reduce nonmandated programs and delay facility maintenance to preserve direct services.

Next steps: the auditor must certify the levy request amount and, if commissioners formally adopt the measure for the ballot, the board will begin community outreach and education about what the levy would fund and its estimated impact on homeowners. The transcript records discussion of timing, certification, and public education but does not show the final procedural motion placing the item on a specific ballot.