Bradley Finch, of Amelia, prepares to vote on Election Day Nov. 5 at Batavia Township Community Center.

Bradley Finch, of Amelia, prepares to vote on Election Day Nov. 5 at Batavia Township Community Center.
By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Clermont County voters renewed a .75 mill levy for the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities Nov. 5.

The levy passed with 66.24 percent, or 23,003 voters, in favor of the levy and 33.76 percent, or 11,726 voters, against the levy.

“We are feeling good and very, very thankful because this is really important to us,” Sharon Woodrow, superintendent of Clermont DD, said as election results were coming in.

According to Woodrow, the levy generates approximately $2.9 million for Clermont DD, which provides a variety of services for disabled individuals including adult programs, specialized childcare, respite in the home, camps, transportation services, and more.

Woodrow said Clermont DD is funded by local and state funds but more than half of their funds come from levies.

She said especially with reductions in state funding, the levy is crucial to providing services at Clermont DD.

“This is one of those situations where if we had lost the money we would have to go in and cut services because all of our services are predicated on that money continuing,” Woodrow said.

Woodrow said Clermont DD serves around 1,500 people each day through their various programs.

Woodrow said the levy for services was first on the ballot in 2003 and was renewed again in 2007.

She said she is thankful for the support of the community again this year.

“Thank you so much for helping the people in this community with disabilities,” Woodrow said. “It means more to them than it does to us and we would thank everyone in the community on behalf of them.”

Election results are unofficial until certified by the Clermont County Board of Elections.