Drug, mental health board seeks approval of tax levy

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Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson " Summit County residents will vote Nov. 6 on Issue 20, a six-year 2.95-mill levy for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
The ADM board's manager of community relations Mary Alice Sonnhalter said the levy is a replacement that would decrease the millage rate of the board's levy. However, it would still result in an increase in tax payment for Summit County residents.
"Our current levy is a renewal of the levy passed in 1997," said Sonnhalter. "Our income is based on 1997 property values. We have had no increase in funding since 1997."
Issue 20 asks for 2.95 mills. The 2001 levy, which expires this year, is 3.05 mills.
If passed, Issue 20, would cost a homeowner $91 per year per $100,000 of property valuation. The existing levy costs homeowners $48 per year per $100,000 of property valuation, according to information provided by the ADM board.
Sonnhalter said the levy is "all about maintaining our current level of services."
The ADM board is a network of 30 affiliated agencies dealing with drug and alcohol prevention and treatment, suicide prevention and mental health services, according to Sonnhalter.
According to Sonnhalter, the ADM offered services to 72,000 Summit County residents in 2006.
The ADM was formed in 1990. Thirty agencies operate under the ADM's umbrella including, Oriana House, Portage Path Mental Health Center, Shelter Care, Tarry House, Blick Clinic, two crisis centers and three hotlines.
The six-year levy would begin in 2008, with the first collection in 2009.
Editor's note: Markulis is a reporter for the Hudson Hub-Times.
Email: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3143