Disabilities board asks for levy’s renewal
NOV. 7 ELECTION
Paula Klentz loves the princess her 5-year-old daughter has become.
“Now, she wants to be the center of attention,” Klentz said of Alexandria, who goes by Lexy.
That hadn’t been the case since just after Lexy was born and then diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a brain disorder that impairs muscle movement and motor functions including speech. It’s caused by a brain injury or malfunction before or shortly after birth.
Lexy was quiet and reserved before she started receiving services from the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, an agency seeking renewal of one of the two property taxes that together provide threequarters of its $240 million annual budget.
The slight, blond girl with pigtails began receiving services in her home, but for the past four years, she has participated in the board’s early-childhood development program. There, she mixes with others receiving-developmental disabilities services and children enrolled in Head Start and YMCA programs. The groups share resources, creating a diverse group of children in what Lexy calls “school.”
Lexy once couldn’t tolerate noise and had little body movement. After four years in the program, her mom uses the threat of not going to “school” to make Lexy behave.
“The kids get to socialize more. They get to interact with (other) kids,” Klentz said.
Klentz also has a 3-year-old son, Jacob, who has autism and receives services from the Developmental Disabilities Board. Autism is a variety of conditions that can include intellectual disabilities, repetitive behavior, nonverbal communication and difficulty with speech and socialization.
The Developmental Disabilities Board provides services annually to 21,000 children, adults and seniors and their families.
For some, services can be provided from cradle to grave. They include operating a school, transportation, placing adults in housing and work programs and providing for seniors. The population the board serves has doubled since 2000 and is expected to continue to increase as advances in medicine allow people with disabilities to live longer. In addition, Franklin County’s 1.3 million population is projected to increase by up to 1 million by 2050.
The two property taxes benefiting the board raise $94.2 million annually each, and each costs $106.89 per $100,000 of home value. Combined, they raise $188.4 million and cost the owner of a $100,000 house $213.78 per year.
One property tax was made permanent in 2009. The other is due to expire at the end of 2018. Its proposed 10-year renewal is the only countywide issue on the Nov. 7 ballot. Approval would not raise taxes.
The proposal has no known organized opposition. “We have a wide spectrum of people who we serve,” said Jed Morison, superintendent and board CEO. Some of them require services for a few hours a day, while others need them around the clock for life.
Those served includes 100 at West Central School, the board’s school, another 100 enrolled in 16 public school districts, and 90 to 100 who are institutionalized.
“Services are based on individual needs,” Morison said.
The board places high expectations on those receiving services. For example, adults who are capable are expected to get a job — often with the help of the board — to make them more productive and active.
The board’s programs have worked for Lexy. Her muscle tone has improved, and she can sit up without support.
“When she started, she couldn’t hardly move at all,” her mother said. “Now, she has a walker. She can eat solid food.
“She’s grown a lot.”