Tuscarawas County voters did not approve a new property tax levy for the Board of Developmental Disabilities.
According to unofficial election night results, Issue 8 failed by more than five thousand votes as about 60 percent of ballots were against the 1.2-mill levy.
Tusc BDD Superintendent Amy Adam had said the levy was needed to maintain the agency’s current level of service in the face of rising costs.
“While the levy was not approved it does not change our commitment at Tusc BDD to the people and families that we serve. Ultimately, we respect the decision the community made. We understand the pressure that people are under with property taxes right now.”
She did not know what the immediate impact would be on the Starlight School in New Philadelphia or if the Board would return to the ballot in a future election.
“Our board and leadership team will meet and carefully evaluate our next steps.”
Issue 8 would have cost about 42 dollars per year for every $100,000 of home value.
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