Title
To express support for Issue 22 for a replacement levy for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Body
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (formerly Franklin County MRDD) has a responsibility to provide community based services for children and adults with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Board provides quality, life-long services to individuals and their families in children's and adult programs, including preschools, employment services, Special Olympics, therapies, service coordination, supported living programs, transportation, and services for senior citizens who have developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, many parents, particularly aging parents in their 60s, 70s or 80s, can no longer independently care for their sons or daughters who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Board has been responsive to the community by balancing needs against realistic financial resources and through long term planning; and
WHEREAS, enrollment is expected to continue to increase at a rate of approximately 3% per year due to factors such as improved medical technology, greater longevity, increased awareness and need, and population growth; and
WHEREAS, the Board also provides funding to many organizations, including Nationwide Children's Hospital, Goodwill Columbus, Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University, Easter Seals, Catholic Social Services, Columbus Jewish Center, Childhood League, and others; and
WHEREAS, to allow for the continuation of basic services provided to over 16,000 children and adults who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities, the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to replace the current 3.5 mill levy which expire in 2012 with the same millage of 3.5 mills; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That Columbus City Council does hereby support the passage of Issue 22 for the replacement of the current developmental disabilities levy to allow for the continuation of basic services and valuable resources to children and adults who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities.