LEBANON — Warren County Commissioner Pat South says she supports the local mental health levy in spite of concerns she raised earlier this year about salary increases at the agency.

        “Our county needs mental health services,” Mrs. South said. “There's no doubt about that.”

        In Tuesday's election, Mental Health and Recovery Services of Warren & Clinton Counties is seeking a two-year renewal of a 1-mill levy originally approved in 1986. If passed, it will not increase property owners' taxes.

        If it doesn't pass, the levy will expire in December, slashing the agency's funding and forcing 40 to 50 layoffs, Executive Director Bill Harper said.

        In early July, the commissioners, led by Mrs. South, demanded an explanation for salary increases of 30 percent or more that were given at Recovery Services and several related agencies.

        By state law, Recovery Services mainly hires private agencies to provide counseling, housing and other help to the mentally ill on a sliding-fee scale.

        Recovery Services and several of those contracting agencies completed a salary study earlier this year that aimed to equalize pay and bring it closer to market rates.

        An Enquirer examination of individual agencies' salary schedules found that many of the highest raises went to lower-paying positions, such as a Recovery Services secretary whose 20 percent raise bumped her from $9.10 to $10.89 an hour. Also, many employees got no raises.

        Mrs. South said she still intends to follow up with Recovery Services in early 2002 about its priorities.

        “We were chastised for not wanting fair wages for employees. We have always believed in fair wages,” she said. “But there are some unmet needs out there.”

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