Children Services seeking replacement levy

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By Wayne Allen

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Scioto County Children Services will be asking the voters of Scioto County to vote in favor of a replacement levy on the ballot during the general election. If approved, the levy would provide additional funding to the agency.

The Scioto County Commissioners recently passed a resolution, placing the replacement levy on the ballot.

“This is the only money set-a-side for abused and neglected kids in Scioto County. All of the money collected from the levy goes directly toward boarding abused and neglected kids,” said Lorra Fuller, executive director of Scioto County Children Services. “Taking custody of the drug-addicted infants and their siblings is taking a stand for our most vulnerable population. We need the levy to pass to continue to make sure that all of our abused and neglected children are safe and free to live happy childhoods.”

Fuller said the agency served over 2,000 abused and neglected kids in 2014, with 131 children in custody.

“Without the levy we would not have funds available, through the current funding process, to take in abused and neglected kids,” Fuller said.

When asked about the number of kids they serve, Fuller said they are expecting that number to increase. It’s projected the agency will serve more than 2,000 kids in 2015.

The Friends of Scioto County Children Services, a political action committee, has been formed to help raise funds and promote the levy.

“Essentially it’s about $3 more with the replacement levy, than what it has been in the past,” Fuller said. “Right now our levy is for a million dollars a year, but we never bring in a million dollars. We typically bring in about $890,000, due to property values in Scioto County and sometimes people don’t pay their taxes. With the replacement levy, we’re hoping to bring in closer to a million dollars a year.”

Representatives from Friends of Scioto County Children Services will have a booth at the Scioto County Fair passing out campaign materials and answering questions. If approved the levy would run for 10 years.

Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT

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