BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Grateful. That’s how Jeff Felton, Director of Belmont County Job & Family Services, says he feels after voters passed the children’s services levy Tuesday.
I want to thank the citizens of Belmont County for their continued support of Children’s Services. It means more than you know!
Jeff Felton, Director of Belmont County Job & Family Services,
Vote totals reported by the Belmont County Board of Elections showed that the levy was passed with a total of 16,934 votes in favor and 12,505 opposed.
Felton said the levy is a replacement of the current 0.65 mill levy reduced to 0.45 mils beginning in the 2025 tax year. It is a five-year levy running from 2025 to 2029.
Felton said the new levy will reduce the burden for taxpayers. The Belmont County Auditor’s office states that the 0.65 mills charge for the 1976 Children Services Levy in 2023 in was $1,576,383.32. The new levy is expected to generate fewer dollars, $1,084,806 per year.
Felton said his department will not reduce services even with less levy money. He also said Governor Mike DeWine’s office has stepped up to fund children’s services programs statewide.
Felton said Children’s Services receives approximately 100 calls per month concerning abused or neglected children. As of the beginning of Oct., the agency had 59 children in placement.
He said levy monies go to support, mainly through placement costs, children who are in foster care and residential facilities.
