DD levy renewal to be on Nov. ballot

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County commissioners approved a resolution to place a 2-mill, five-year operating levy renewal on the Nov. 8 ballot for the county board of developmental disabilities.

That levy generates about $5.2 million annually for the developmental- disabilities board, which serves about 1,300 clients, said Larry Duck, DD board superintendent.

The voters renewed last year the board’s other levy, which is 3 mills. Together, these levies provide 75 percent of the board’s operating revenue at a time when state funding is declining, Duck said.

“If it weren’t for these two levies, our program wouldn’t exist,” Duck told commissioners Thursday.

The developmental- disabilities board operates the Leonard Kirtz School and a senior citizens’ center, both in Austintown, and two adult workshops in Boardman.

The commissioners also approved closing Stratton Road between Middletown Road and state Route 165 in Goshen Township from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday for a culvert replacement.

The detour will be over state Routes 165 and 45 and Middletown Road.

The commissioners also approved closing Kennedy Road between Quarry Road and the Lowellville Village limits in Poland Township for the annual Mount Carmel celebration July 13-16.