The Marion County Commissioners recently met to approve the proceeding of a replacement tax for the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD).
The proposed levy maintains the current rate of 3.0 mills, but updates the valuation to reflect today’s property values. For homeowners, this means an increase in annual cost from $84.17 to $105 for a home valued at $100,000—an estimated difference of $20.83 per year.
MCBDD is also seeking to extend the levy’s term from five years to ten years, a commitment to voters and a move aimed at providing long-term financial stability and avoiding the need for frequent ballot renewals.
“While the costs of doing business continue to rise, levies depreciate with time,” said MCBDD Superintendent Cheryl Plaster. “A replacement levy is not additional millage, but keeps the County Board collecting at today’s tax rate. We are thankful for the value that voters see in our work and want to continue to be a robust resource for those in Marion County with developmental disabilities.”
Commissioner Kevin Davidson voiced his support, citing firsthand experience with the board’s impact in the community. The levy proposal is currently under review by the Marion County Board of Elections.
MCBDD serves approximately 1,000 individuals in Marion County, including 124 children under age 3, nearly 350 youth between ages 3 and 22, and hundreds of adults up to age 89. Services include early childhood intervention, residential support, job training, employment services, family assistance, Special Olympics programming, and more.
Director of Operations Travis Harrah noted a significant increase in demand since the last levy was passed in 2020. “We have added over 200 people to our caseloads and have seen a state-mandated 36% increase in our waiver costs,” Harrah said. “We are happy to see that people are finding us for support, but obviously that puts a strain on our budget. We are confident with a replacement levy we can sustain through the next several years at the current rates and service projections.”
MCBDD invites the public to learn more about its services at the upcoming Marion Area Chamber Business After Hours event, hosted at its facility at 2387 Harding Highway East on Thursday, August 14, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Founded in 1967 as part of a statewide initiative to provide alternatives to institutional care, the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities continues its mission to help individuals with developmental disabilities live, learn, and earn in their local communities. The organization is funded through a combination of local tax dollars, state and federal funds.
For more information, including a detailed Q&A and personal stories from those served, visit the MCBDD website.
Chamber Business After Hours