Hamilton County taxpayers will decide Nov. 2 whether they want to continue paying for services for the county's 10,000 people with developmental disabilities.

The county's Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) provides a variety of services with the countywide tax, which will appear as Issue 13 on the ballot.

If passed, the five-year tax renewal will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $115 per year - an increase of $27 from the last time the levy was passed.

Thomas Kidd, superintendent of the Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD), says the reason the money is needed is simple: They are helping more people with disabilities, and those people are living longer lives because of medical technology.

But Tom Brinkman, director of the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST), who debated Mr. Kidd over the levy three weeks ago, says the county already places too high a tax burden on its residents. People should draw a line on the MRDD levy, he says.

"I do feel these are services that should be provided for by taxpayers," Mr. Brinkman said. "But I feel confident that if this levy is defeated, it would force some serious changes by commissioners on how it's funded."

Most of the services provided by the tax levy are mandated by state law. Local money is combined with state and federal dollars to pay for most of the programs, but the local dollars are needed to attract the federal and state money.

The levy would generate more than $51 million per year, or about 67 percent of the MRDD annual budget.

"There isn't anything that would be spared if we lost 67 percent of our budget because that 67 percent is used to generate the rest of our revenue," Mr. Kidd said. "It would just be devastating, and I don't know where the commissioners would come up with $52 million a year."

Tim Mara, an attorney who led the fight against the sales tax increase for the two sports stadiums, said the MRDD levy is money well spent.

"These are services for people who truly are in need," Mr. Mara said. "That's why the public has a different attitude about this levy."

There is a reserve fund that would carry MRDD to the March 2000 primary election, when commissioners would likely place the issue back on the ballot, Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin said.

That reserve would continue to pay for the variety of programs provided, which help infants to senior citizens.

People like Debbie Day, who has been in MRDD programs for 17 years.

The steel grips that helped bring Ms. Day into the world in 1956 damaged her brain when they squeezed her head during delivery. That led doctors to think Ms. Day never would have a productive life outside of a mental institution.

But with physical and occupational therapy and a healthy attitude from going to work every day at the Jackson Adult Center, Ms. Day has been able to prove that diagnosis wrong.

"The services provided have really helped Debbie along," said her father, Bill Day of Anderson Township. "We can tell that she's very happy, and working every day gives her a sense of accomplishment and something to look forward to."

Among the services provided with the MRDD levy:

Job programs for individuals with mental retardation that earn them a salary, on which they pay taxes. In 1998, the people enrolled in these programs earned $3 million in wages and paid $400,000 in taxes, according to statistics provided by the Hamilton County Tax Levy Review Committee.

Programs for infants, pre-schoolers and school-age children with developmental disabilities. There also are parenting and early-intervention programs for families.

When the first mental retardation levy passed in 1974, only 1,014 people were served by it. The current population of 10,000 is expected to grow by 33 percent - to 13,810 people - by 2004.

The audit performed by the Tax Levy Review Committee showed that 5 cents of every tax dollar goes for administrative overhead.

The rest pays for services: 34 cents for community living and support, 35 cents for adult employment programs, 23 cents for pre-school and school programs, and 3 cents for infant programs.

Sister Marianne Van Vurst is president of the St. Joseph Home, which has many of its residents enrolled in MRDD programs. She said the MRDD levy is a lifeline for many people.

"I've seen a child who was told she would be able to do nothing now able to hold a cup in hand and drink by themselves," Sister Marianne said. "I've see a child smile because they have learned to move a part of their body they had not been able to move before.

"These are true leaps toward independence for our children."

Programs funded by MRDD levy

These are the programs funded with money from the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) tax levy, which will be Issue 13 on the Nov. 2 ballot. Some of the programs, which are tailored to individual needs, are supplemented with grants or state money. There are transition plans developed to help families from one program to the next.

Early intervention is for children from birth to age 2. These services are centered around the family, to help parents or guardians make long-term decisions for the child. It also includes occupational therapy, along with speech and language development as needed.

Early childhood stresses the process of learning for preschoolers, and provides family services. The program provides services in the home or in a classroom, depending on need.

School age gives functional instruction in a central location for people age 6 through 21. There is a variety of vocational education offered, which can lead to supported employment and adult workshops. Additional services, such as adapted physical education, occupational and physical therapies, and psychological, health and speech - language counseling are available.

Adult services are based on the theory that individuals have the right to choose and participate in activities that meet their needs. Employment training, supported employment, retirement programs and home-based services are offered through contract agencies.

Case management is required by state law and includes things such as information and referral, service placement and coordination, or crisis intervention.

Supported living and residential services provides housing costs, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, personal care, habilitation training and therapy. The supported living program is meant to stop people from being inappropriately placed in nursing homes.

Family resources provides financial help to eligible families who have a person with mental retardation or developmental disability living in the home. Full or partial costs for this service are reimbursed by the state.

Copyright 1999 The Cincinnati Enquirer