Latest news with #AshtabulaCountyBoardofDevelopmentalDisabilities
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Board of DD levy to be on the November ballot
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities informed the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners on their intention for two levies set to expire after this year. The administrative team of the ACBDD had a work session with the commissioners, and said they plan to let a .5 mill levy expire, and attempt to pass a 2-mill renewal levy in November. ACBDD Superintendent Toni Scurpa said the board had decided to go for the 2 mill renewal but end the .5 mill levy after conducting a financial assessment. 'The board did pass a motion,' she said of the intent to go in that direction. ACBDD Director of Operations and Human Resources Matt Glidewell said there were some carryovers, and the board decided it was the best way to go for the taxpayers and still maintain services. 'What has changed?' Commissioner J.P. Ducro said. He also wondered why a recent board meeting involved discussion about not having the money to transport students. Manda Jackson, ACBDD director of quality and community outreach, said there are certain transportation expenses the board cannot handle because it is illegal due to the Ohio Revised Code, and others were families made service decisions that provided transportation challenges. The commissioners affirmed the levy decisions, and Commissioner Kathryn Whittington said she would be glad to discuss ways to improve the levy's chance of passing. 'I think the dropping of the half-mill levy is a good marketing decision,' Ducro said. Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said he is in favor of the renewal levy, with the expiration of the half-mill levy. Jackson said the Friends of the Developmentally Disabled have raised money to help pass the levy, since no board funds can be used for levy advertising. 'We have some funds that will allow us to run a substantial campaign,' she said. Jackson said the committee hopes to use social media, yard signs and other advertising options. The administrators provided a three-year priority plan for the commissioners that includes fiscal sustainability, ensuring no wait list for services and building stronger community relationships. Not renewing the half mill levy will leave the 2-mill levy on the books, and two 1.33 continuing levies, passed in 1997 and 2017. The board will begin the process to get on the ballot, and a resolution will eventually be provided by the commissioners, Kozlowski said about the process, which has many moving parts.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ACBDD-supported person appointed to its board
KINGSVILLE — Ryan Jenks was recently appointed to the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Jenks is the first person served by the Board of DD to be appointed to serve on the board. 'I am proud to be part of the Ashtabula Board of DD,' Jenks said in a Board of DD press release. 'I can bring my thoughts and input on what needs to be done.' Board of DD Director of Quality and Community Outreach Manda Jackson said Jenks' appointment is a historic moment. 'It's really exciting for us to be a part of this movement, and really lead by example of encouraging people with disabilities to be a part of the decision making process,' she said. Jackson said this is a prime opportunity for someone to advocate for themselves. 'Somebody served has a position at a table that can lead to true decision making and change within our system,' she said. Jenks went through a formal interview process, Jackson said. 'The structure of our board appointments [is that] two come from the probate judge and five come from our commissioners,' she said. 'Ryan is an appointment through probate.' Jenks met with Probate Court Judge Albert Camplese and Board of DD Superintendent Toni Scurpa, then was formally sworn in, Jackson said. 'The county board for a long time has promoted advocacy and supporting people we serve to know their rights, responsibilities and be able to advocate for what's important in their life,' she said. There were some state policy changes that led to Jenks coming to the board, Jackson said. According to the Board of DD press release, new state legislation takes effect July 1 that emphasizes including someone who receives a board's services on the board. The Ohio Revised Code has called for county boards to include people they serve for a long time, Board of DD Director of Operations and Human Resources Matthew Glidewell said. 'The new emphasis came with the 2023 biennium budget, where now the board is required to look for a capable individual served to serve on our board,' he said. Glidewell said it is great to have Jenks on the board as a representative for his community. 'We may think we have the best intentions of the individuals that we serve at heart, but who better knows what people served need than people served themselves,' he said. Jenks will bring a new and welcomed voice to the board, Glidewell said. 'We look forward to working with Mr. Jenks in the years to come,' he said. Jenks will be a great addition to the board, Jackson said. 'He does actively receive our services, and he will bring new light and perspective to the initiatives that we focus on,' she said.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ashtabula considering DORA for the Harbor
ASHTABULA — City administration is exploring the possibility having a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the Harbor, Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said at a Monday council meeting. Timonere said DORAs are areas where people can buy alcoholic beverages and walk outside with it to other participating establishments. There are a lot of steps involved in applying for a DORA, including involving city council and asking for public input, Timonere said. 'They recently passed this in Geneva,' he said. 'I had a great meeting the Geneva City Manager on the process.' Timonere will be meeting with harbor business owners soon to talk with them about it, he said. City administration is looking into other parts of Ashtabula for DORAs as well, he said. 'With our population, we're allowed to have three areas considered for a DORA,' Timonere said. 'There's a lot of acreage that goes along with it, so I think if we start out with a certain map, we can always expand it.' Council approved additional funds for restoration work following construction of an inclusive playground at Walnut Beach Park. The playground is being built by Capp Steel Erectors. The city entered into a contract with the company Oct. 10, 2024. The contract's expansion adds $6,025 to the original cost. Timonere said there will be ribbon cutting with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities after work is complete. Public works have been getting to street maintenance, Timonere said. 'This winter was brutal on these roads,' he said. City council voted to renew two levies. One is 1.5-mill levy funding the city's parks. Ward 4 Councilperson Jodi Mills is grateful for the levy's funding, she said. 'It's been a great asset,' she said. Mills said unlike other municipalities, the city does not have just one main park. 'A lot of times [people] don't realize all these little parks we have,' she said. Council President John Roskovics said the city utilizes its levies well. 'We do a great job of taking those levies and multiplying their effect,' he said. The other renewal levy is 0.3 mills, and is for the operation of the Senior Citizens Service Center by the Ashtabula County Council on Aging. Timonere said council will later have to decide whether to proceed after the Ashtabula County Auditor's Office comes back with how much money the levies generate. After that, council will have to approve ballot language from the Ashtabula County Board of Elections. The levies should be on the ballot in November from there, Timonere said. The city entered into a $11,400 contract with Brobst Tree and Stump Service for yard waste disposal services. Timonere said a contract is approved annually.
