2008 Woodie Awards
Levy could increase property tax
March 4 issue would help fund Butler County Children's Services
Chau Nguyen
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Community
Butler County's Children Services Board is asking voters for help in its mission to protect children and preserve families by passing a replacement tax levy in the March 4 primary.
The levy calls for a rate of two mills for every dollar paid over a period of five years and will benefit Butler County Children Services (BCCS).
According to Denise Winkler, the director of public relations at the BCCS, the agency provides federal and state mandated services, such as investigating allegations of neglect or abuse, finding placement for children who are abused or neglected and recruiting foster parents.
Without funding from the levy, which would provide 60 percent of the agency's funding, Winkler said the BCCS would have to cut
services dramatically.
"We would have to cut staff and cut all non-mandated services, such as mental health and substance abuse services," she said. "Right now, we assist the family in getting drug and alcohol treatment, but if we didn't have the levy, those services would have to go because they aren't mandated."
According to Dennis Sullivan, a Miami University economics professor, the proposed levy would mean $2 for every $1,000 worth of property.
"It's not a very big levy," Sullivan said. "If you have a $100,000 house, that would mean $200 a year."
Winkler said the agency is currently operating on a similar two mills, five-year levy set to expire this November, prompting a renewal or replacement of the previous levy.
According to Winkler, the proposed levy would take into consideration the current property tax values at the time the levy is passed. For subsequent years, homeowners would be expected to pay the same amount over the five-year span and the amount will not be affected by rising property values.
"A renewal means we want the same amount of money," Winkler said. "The millage remains the same, but the amount of money we collect will be based on the current property tax values."
The levy calls for a rate of two mills for every dollar paid over a period of five years and will benefit Butler County Children Services (BCCS).
According to Denise Winkler, the director of public relations at the BCCS, the agency provides federal and state mandated services, such as investigating allegations of neglect or abuse, finding placement for children who are abused or neglected and recruiting foster parents.
Without funding from the levy, which would provide 60 percent of the agency's funding, Winkler said the BCCS would have to cut
services dramatically.
"We would have to cut staff and cut all non-mandated services, such as mental health and substance abuse services," she said. "Right now, we assist the family in getting drug and alcohol treatment, but if we didn't have the levy, those services would have to go because they aren't mandated."
According to Dennis Sullivan, a Miami University economics professor, the proposed levy would mean $2 for every $1,000 worth of property.
"It's not a very big levy," Sullivan said. "If you have a $100,000 house, that would mean $200 a year."
Winkler said the agency is currently operating on a similar two mills, five-year levy set to expire this November, prompting a renewal or replacement of the previous levy.
According to Winkler, the proposed levy would take into consideration the current property tax values at the time the levy is passed. For subsequent years, homeowners would be expected to pay the same amount over the five-year span and the amount will not be affected by rising property values.
"A renewal means we want the same amount of money," Winkler said. "The millage remains the same, but the amount of money we collect will be based on the current property tax values."
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