Athens voters to decide on tax levy

by Morgan Dixon
Staff Writer

On Nov. 6, Athens County voters must decide whether to pass the Issue 1 tax levy that will renew mental health services in the community.

Bill Dunlap, deputy director of the Athens-Hocking-Vinton 317 Board, said the Mental Health and Recovery Services Replacement Levy supports local agencies that specialize in treatment and support for substance abuse and mental health problems.

The 317 board provides these services to residents of Athens, Hocking and Vinton counties under contract with nine agencies, including the Gathering Place, My Sister's Place, and Tri-County Mental Health and Counseling Services, Dunlap said.

The levy, first passed in 1981 and again in 1991 as a 10-year levy, expires this year. The new levy is asking for local funding to update the conditions passed in 1991 to meet evaluation standards, Dunlap said.

"We want to continue the support that's been there for 20 years," said George Weigly, executive director of the Tri-County Mental Health and Counseling Services.

If passed, the levy calls for a slight increase in local dollars used for mental health funding, Dunlap said.

Under the 1991 conditions, local mental health agencies used $847,000 of tax money annually. Under the 2001 conditions, the levy calls for $1.1 million annually, Dunlap said.

"A person who owns a $100,000 home would experience a $9.79 increase per year," Dunlap said.

The tax money represents about 18 percent of the 317 Board's budget. It plays a signicant role in the quality and extent of services provided for the community, Dunlap said.

Local funding has become more important because state and federal funding has recently decreased, Dunlap said.

The quality of mental health services is dependent on the local tax. The tax aids programs such as child assault advocacy and survivor advocacy, which assists rape victims, Weigly said.

"Without the tax our system would be drastically impaired," Greenlee said.