Dear Editor,   

Issue 17 is on the November 7 ballot to replace Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) 4.5 operating levy originally passed in 2005. The levy will fund critical services for more than 5,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities from 2025 – 2030. 

Summit DD has operated for 17 years without increased revenue while serving 30% more people. If passed, it will cost homeowners $158 annually per $100,000 of appraised value -$3.58 more per month. Passing this November locks in the amount collected through 2030 and is calculated on today’s property valuation, not the increased valuation that becomes effective in 2024. Summit DD has been a good steward of taxpayer dollars by downsizing it’s building from a large campus in Tallmadge that was expensive to maintain to their two smaller localtions in Cuyahoga Falls and Barberton. 

[Ability to add personal note] 

I encourage all residents to vote YES on Issue 17 on or before November 7. A vote for Summit DD is a vote to empower more than 5,000 of our neighbors to live healthy and safe lives!  

Sincerely,   

[name and city]