Issue 3 up for renewal

[rpavideo caption=”Issue 3 on the Portage County ballot this election day renews a levy that is used to help those seeking help from mental illnesses. To the residents of Portage County, it means a little more. TV2 KSU’s Sean Barie reports.”]RPA_Barie_Shook_Issue3[/rpavideo]

Issue 3 proponents look to gain support from residents

By Nick Shook

With mental health issues on the rise nationwide, the improvement of quality and availability of care is a hot topic in many communities across the United States. Portage County is one that will address the issue Nov. 5, when the voters fill out their ballots and choose yes or no on Issue 3.

As with any issue requiring money from taxpayers, generating funds can often be a difficult task. Issue 3’s supporters are quick to point out that it is not a tax increase, but instead a renewal of an existing levy — and it appears to have some support from residents in Kent.

“Absolutely,” Harvey Street resident Jane Gwinn said. “It increases the safety in our community for those who have these issues and need the help. Without the support, they wouldn’t have it.”

The Mental Health and Recovery Renewal Levy, first passed in 1983, generates approximately $3 million annually for the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County, which is already operating with less funding than it did five years ago. The board felt the impact of state budget cuts in 2008, losing $2.2 million annually in state aid, and has since been forced to use reserve funds to maintain operations. The levy has since functioned as the “anchor” of the board’s funding, said Amie Cajka, director of community relations for Portage County MHRB.

“It’s the largest millage that we have in property taxes that funds mental health and recovery,” Cajka said. “Without that, we lose close to 55 to 60 percent of our annual revenue.”

[pullquote]”It’s the largest millage that we have in property taxes that funds mental health and recovery. Without that, we lose close to 55 to 60 percent of our annual revenue.” -Amie Cajka, director of community relations for Portage County MHRB[/pullquote]

According to the board’s website dedicated to levy renewal, the 1-mill levy would cost $29 annually for owners of a house valued at $100,000.

The board’s operations include but are not limited to 24-hour services for crises/suicide prevention, Crisis Intervention Team training for police and school personnel, services for veterans and their families and inpatient hospitalization for adults in crisis. The board’s website says 7,200 Portage County residents received services in 2012 thanks in part to the levy, including 2,700 children and teens. The board also administers prevention education for students from elementary to high school to prevent sexual abuse and addictions.

The board kicked off a campaign for the issue in September, making stops at various Portage County events to promote the renewal, and even opened a Twitter account (@MHRlevy) and Facebook page to generate support.

Cajka said the levy has a good chance of being renewed, but in the case that it does not pass, some of those in need will not have an option for treatment.

“It would seriously cut back on people who get regular therapy,” Cajka said. … “Some people may only get to see crisis services for a short amount of time. Less people would be served.”

That doesn’t sit well with Gwinn, who has quite a history dealing with mental illness, working with adults dealing with a “combination of dementia and mental health issues,” she said.

“I’ve had friends and relatives that have had mental health issues,” Gwinn said. … “It’s very important. It’s touched me personally, professionally and in every other way. It’s a very important issue in our community.”

In the event that the issue does not pass, the renewal has two more chances of approval with a return to the ballot in May and November 2014. If those two were to fail, the issue would expire and reappear as a new levy, which would likely spell doom for its future.

“New levies aren’t passing,” Cajka said.

That leaves Tuesday’s vote as an important decision on the future of mental health for the residents of Portage County.