Levy for children services passes

Licking County voters approved a new levy Tuesday to cover the increasing costs of services for abused and neglected children, many of them victims of the state’s ongoing drug epidemic.

The children services levy passed with 56 percent of the vote, according to final, unofficial tallies posted by the county board of elections.

“The people of Licking County have always stood by the children of Licking County,” county Commissioner Tim Bubb said Tuesday. “Those children deserve a future. The people of Licking County understand that.”

John D. Fisher, director of Licking County Job and Family Services, added: “These children are the innocent victims of this drug crisis, and (the voters) saw an opportunity to make a direct impact and improvement on the lives of these children.”

The 10-year, 1-mill levy will generate about $4 million annually for foster care, adoption and services for abused or neglected children. It will cost homeowners about $35 for every $100,000 valuation.

That’s about double what they have been paying under a levy that has been on the books for several decades and was most recently renewed in 2014.

Tax revenue hasn’t been keeping pace with the increased costs of children services, with more youngsters requiring care as their parents battle drug addictions. As of the end of June, 446 children were in the county’s care, up from 366 at the end of 2016.

More than three-fourths of those children are in custody due to parental drug use.

“I don’t see it stopping,” Bubb said. “The numbers may get worse next year.”

Fisher added: “As long as the drug epidemic in its current form continues, then, unfortunately, I see the number of these innocent victims, the children, being affected by it” increasing.

Licking County Job and Family Services paid nearly $9.8 million in 2016 for services for abused and neglected children. The county covered about $2.4 million of that total from its general revenue fund. This year, the shortfall probably will top $3 million.

Fisher thanked the voters for their support and “for stepping up and helping these abused and neglected children. Thank you for your trust. We will do everything we can to heal the hurt of these children and assist them in their transition to adulthood.”