Spring Break
Butler Co. Democrats support Issue 12
Vince Alexander
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Front Page
On the verge of Ohio's primary, Butler County Democratic Party Chairman Ron Wardrup, announced Feb. 22 his party's support of Issue 12.
Issue 12 is a replacement levy that will provide funding to Butler County Children Services (BCCS), Wardrup said. If passed, the levy will add $5.08 in additional taxes to the owner of a $100,000 home in addition to the existing BCCS levy.
According to Denise Winkler, public relations director for BCCS, the current $2 million, five-year levy which expires in November 2008 taxes an owner of a $100,000 home $56.17 per year. With the additional money proposed in Issue 12, that amount would climb to $61.25 per year.
"Democrats endorse this issue because we feel as (if) in a position of leadership, it is our responsibility to do so," Wardrup said.
The current levy generates approximately $15 million for BCCS or roughly 60 percent of their annual funding.
"This is a minimal increase in the face of the fast growing demands and needs of Butler County Children Services," Winkler said.
According to Wardrup, members of the Democratic Party voted unanimously to support Issue 12.
"The levy will directly help abused and neglected children," Wardrup said. "We feel compelled to enhance BCCS and are very convinced that it is a much needed issue."
According to Winkler, in the last 5 years BCCS has seen a 12.3 percent increase per year in the number of investigations, a rising number of calls and complaints, as well as more and more children coming into care-all while funding has remained constant.
"Children Services provides many services to those who cannot afford them," Nick Noble, a Miami University economics professor said. "Rising levels of inflation and housing prices have occurred over the past five years so this seems like a reasonable increase."
Butler County Republicans have not voiced an opinion in favor or against this issue. Tom Ellis, the executive chairman of the Butler County Republican Party said it is not party policy to endorse specific issues.
Issue 12 is a replacement levy that will provide funding to Butler County Children Services (BCCS), Wardrup said. If passed, the levy will add $5.08 in additional taxes to the owner of a $100,000 home in addition to the existing BCCS levy.
According to Denise Winkler, public relations director for BCCS, the current $2 million, five-year levy which expires in November 2008 taxes an owner of a $100,000 home $56.17 per year. With the additional money proposed in Issue 12, that amount would climb to $61.25 per year.
"Democrats endorse this issue because we feel as (if) in a position of leadership, it is our responsibility to do so," Wardrup said.
The current levy generates approximately $15 million for BCCS or roughly 60 percent of their annual funding.
"This is a minimal increase in the face of the fast growing demands and needs of Butler County Children Services," Winkler said.
According to Wardrup, members of the Democratic Party voted unanimously to support Issue 12.
"The levy will directly help abused and neglected children," Wardrup said. "We feel compelled to enhance BCCS and are very convinced that it is a much needed issue."
According to Winkler, in the last 5 years BCCS has seen a 12.3 percent increase per year in the number of investigations, a rising number of calls and complaints, as well as more and more children coming into care-all while funding has remained constant.
"Children Services provides many services to those who cannot afford them," Nick Noble, a Miami University economics professor said. "Rising levels of inflation and housing prices have occurred over the past five years so this seems like a reasonable increase."
Butler County Republicans have not voiced an opinion in favor or against this issue. Tom Ellis, the executive chairman of the Butler County Republican Party said it is not party policy to endorse specific issues.
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