Two major levies that will be on the Nov . 5 ballot are the children ’ s services levy and EMS levy .

Children ’ s services

A replacement of a tax for the benefit of Coshocton County for the purpose of the support of children ’ s services and the care , protection and placement of abused , neglected and dependent children the county auditor estimates will collect $ 811,000 annually , at a rate not exceeding 1 mills for each $ 1 of taxable value , which amounts to $ 35 for each $ 100,000 of the county auditor ’ s appraised value , for five years , commencing in 2025 , first due in calendar year 2026 . Here is what Jed McCoy , director of Coshocton County DJFS , had to say about the levy .

Why is it necessary to ask for additional money and not just renew the levy ?

The current levy has been in place for almost 30 years as it was put in place in 1995 . We appreciate the communities ’ support over this time , but with the significant rise in costs over the last several years , we are faced with the harsh reality of asking our community to allow us to catch up to today ’ s standards so we can continue to provide the care our children deserve . The overall cost for the children we have in care has drastically

increased since 2017 , rising over 140 % in just the last seven years .

In the same span of time , 2017-24 , the average daily cost for all the children we have in care has increased over 175 %. There is an ongoing placement crisis nationally , throughout the state and locally that has contributed to these rising costs . Children ’ s services has zero control over the increase in the costs we must pay .

Our current average cost for children we have in care is just over $ 200,000 per month or approximately $ 2.4 million for the year . Our levy generates around $ 450,000 per year , leaving an anticipated gap of approximately $ 2.1 million . We make this gap up by leveraging state and federal funds where appropriate , but to access or leverage these funds , we must have local / levy funds available .

Inflation also has contributed to the increased cost . Due to inflation the purchasing power of the dollar decreases over time . For a comparison , $ 1,000 in 1995 has the buying power of $ 474 in today ’ s market , a reduction in purchasing power of 53 % ( www . in2013dollars . com / us / inininflation / 1995 ? amou nt = 1000 ).

The purchasing power changes from 1995 to now are important . While home market and assessed values

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Two major levies that will be on the Nov . 5 ballot are the children ’ s services levy and EMS levy .

have increased since 1995 , because the levy has been renewed and not replaced , the amount JFS receives is still based on 1 mill on the assessed 1995 home value .

We are pursuing a replacement levy to get us up to today ’ s market standards . A replacement is like a renewal in that the levy is on the ballot at the same millage as the current levy , five years at 1 mill . However , with a replacement , the cost is valued at your home ’ s current rate and not the previous valuation like with a renewal . This is why , in some cases , homeowners may see an increase if the valuation of your home has increased since the levy was last approved . But there is no increase in the millage requested .

For more specific information , I encourage you to go the Coshocton County Auditor ’ s website at www . coshcoauditor . org , do a property search , and look at your values , current taxes and what the proposed levy

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would look like . What is the money used for ?

All the money collected is used for the placement costs of the children . These funds are not used for any other JFS program or purpose and do not pay for staff salary or benefits . They are specifically used to pay for the costs associated with the children we have in care , so they are cared for and receive the treatment , services and programs they need and deserve . Depending on the needs of the child , our daily cost can range from around $ 12 up to $ 700 per child per day or an average of approximately $ 140 per child per day . Currently , we are averaging just over $ 9,000 paid per day for the overall daily cost for the children we have in our care .

Examples of the expenses that are in placement costs can include the following : — Room and board : This could be in a variety of settings such as a residential treatment facility , group

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home or foster home . — Supportive services : This could be any basic need a child may have when they are brought into our care or are in our custody already . Some examples include clothing , beds , bedding , items needed for school activities or treatment .

Basically , children ’ s services is obligated to cover costs any parent or guardian pays for their child . As the guardian of these children , these placement costs are needed to ensure the children in our care have their basic needs met , receive the appropriate treatment they need and deserve , receive and maintain visitation with family / kin , and are able to participate in a variety of school or community programs or appropriate activities . All are critical to the children ’ s development and well-being and help the children to grow into healthy , well-adjusted adults .

Why is it important voters pass this levy ?

By passing our replacement levy , the community would show its continued support for the children we have in our care . This support goes far beyond the financial support ; it represents a community that has a vested interest in ensuring our children are placed in a safe environment that will allow them to receive the love , care and treatment that is needed .

These funds are essential to maintaining a robust system that safeguards children and supports families in need .

Children ’ s services levy funds are crucial for several reasons :

— Funding essential services : These funds support vital services that protect children from abuse and neglect . They help by assisting in covering the costs for foster care , residential placements and treatment services .

— Stability and continuity : Levy funds ensure

the continuity of services without interruption .

— Community support : With the community supporting our levy , it is reflecting a collective commitment to the well-being of children .

— 100 % of the levy funds collected are used toward the cost we have for the children we have in placements . This amount represents about 20 % of the overall costs we have for caring for these children .

— The levy funds allow us to leverage additional funds from the state and federal government . Without the levy funds , we would not have access to these additional resources .

The community also would show its support to the workers who work tirelessly doing this work every day . Although the case workers receive zero of this funding in any manner , knowing the community supports them and the work they do is appreciated and is extremely valuable to maintaining a dedicated and experienced / knowledgeable staff .

To keep up with current information , follow the Coshocton Citizens Committee for Children Services Facebook page at www . facebook . com / CitizensForChildren- Services .

EMS

An additional tax for the benefit of Coshocton County for the purpose of ambulance service , emergency medical service or both by and through the Coshocton County Emergency Medical Service the county auditor estimates will collect $ 811,000 annually , at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $ 1 of taxable value , which amounts to $ 35 for each $ 100,000 of the county auditor ’ s appraised value , for five years , commencing in 2024 , first due in calendar year 2025 . Here is what Todd Shroyer , director

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