The campaign in support of Scioto County’s Children Services levy is underway, led by a committee of community members called The Committee For the Kids.
The committee unveiled a website and Facebook page, where more information is available on why a YES vote is so important to the well-being of the Scioto County community and kids.
The Children’s Services levy is on the November ballot and will support bridging the gap of the high cost of supporting over 360 children—a 62 percent increase from December 2019. Without the passage of the levy, the county will be forced to cut other county services including public safety in order to support the hundreds of children in need.
Former Portsmouth Mayor Kevin Johnson said that the levy is necessary.
“We’ve all seen the drug problems in Scioto County,” Johnson said. “That has a trickle-down effect and our Children Services has dealt with an extremely high case load. This levy is necessary so that they have the resources for the kids.”
Scioto County ranked first in overdose deaths, and Portsmouth ranked fifth on the crime index for Ohio cities. These drug and crime problems only create more children in need of support from children’s services.
The commissioners understand the need to balance the needs of the children with financial responsibility, which is why they settled on the amount for the levy.
“This is about finding a reasonable funding level to address our challenges,” Johnson said. “We believe this levy is responsible – and we know it will only cost more if we wait.”
For a home valued at $100,000, the levy would only add $70 annually—that’s a small price to pay to keep our children safe.
To support the kids, sign the pledge, like us on Facebook, and share it with your friends and family.
