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The Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties was updated on the levy campaign and housing projects during its quarterly meeting Tuesday.
The board is asking voters in November to approve a 0.7-mill replacement levy that would generate $1.4 million a year for the two-county organization.
Executive Director David Higgins said when the issue was on the ballot five years ago it passed with 58 percent of voters supporting it in Logan County and 57 percent in Champaign. It was much closer 10 years ago when only 49 percent of voters in Logan County voted in favor; the 51 percent in Champaign County, however, was enough to carry it to a slim victory.
He said he was not sure how the issue fared 20 years ago — the last time it would have been on the ballot in conjunction with a presidential race, which means higher voter turnouts.
Board member Grant Varian said recent community needs assessments conducted by Mary Rutan Hospital indicate residents consider addiction and mental health surveys a high priority.
Other taxes up for approval this year include the Logan County road and bridge income tax, two Bellefontaine City Schools tax levies, a Champaign County Health District levy and a variety of other school, village and township issues.
The director said he has already been making presentations at various community organizations and plans to focus efforts around Indian Lake and other pockets where voters tend to vote against taxation issues.
Jon Brown of Residential Administrators also updated the board on an ongoing renovation project at Colonial Arms, 547 E. Columbus Ave. The MHDAS board owns 12 of the 24 units and the Residential Administrators manages the properties.
The housing specialists are currently renovating the 12 units — four at a time and will move the eight occupants four at a time from one building to another as the renovations are finished in each building. Currently, work at the first four units is nearing completion and the first group of residents is preparing to move, Mr. Brown said.
He said he expects the project to be complete by early 2017.
Residential Administrators is also considering purchasing the remaining 12 units and use the entire complex to house individuals or families with mental health disabilities.
He also said the women’s substance abuse recovery house at 216 E. Chillicothe Ave. is ready for occupancy, but the right person has not been identified to serve as the resident house mentor.
The ideal candidate would be a woman who has a minimum of two years of recovery and is willing to reside in the house. The position does not pay, but rent is free, Tammy Nicholl, services director for MHDAS, said.
The board meets again at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the West Liberty office.