LEBANON — The waiting list for elderly Warren County residents who need in-home help has gotten longer this year in spite of an additional $467,000 in county spending on senior services.

        That's the message the Southwest Ohio Council on Aging and Warren County Community Services will bring to county commissioners today. The bottom line, according to Community Services Director Larry Sar geant: A serious infusion of additional cash is needed.

        “If they feel this cannot be funded out of the general revenue fund, then we're committed to circulating a petition to put a levy on the ballot in May,” Mr. Sargeant said Monday.

        Last year, the two agencies suggested a levy for elderly services — a funding method already used in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Clinton counties.

        Warren commissioners, however, persuaded them to hold off by upping the county's contribution to $725,000. Community Services received an additional $200,000 from commissioners in late July after report ing that it was running out of money.

        And still, the waiting list has grown from 250 names last year to 280 names in October, said Bob Logan, chief executive officer of the Council on Aging.

        “All we're asking for is services comparable to other counties to help the aging population stay in their home and independent,” Mr. Logan said.

        Seniors are waiting an average of 27 months, he said, for help with small chores such as housekeeping and bathing that could mean the difference between them staying home or having to move to a nursing home. Community Services is a private agency that gets government money to provide the services.

        Also today, commissioners will:

        • Continue discussions with the farmland preservation committee over how best to preserve rural areas of the county.

        • Have a budget work session.

If you go

               What: Warren County commissioners meeting

        When: 10:15 a.m. today

        Where: Commissioners meeting room, 406 Justice Drive, Lebanon

Deaths of 3 young men stun Mason
Madeira student badly hurt, but home
Paraplegic driver unable to brake
Safety a factor for some UC no-shows
New center takes shape at Xavier
KKK does not ask for cross permit
Rehabs may get new rules
Two shootings leave 1 dead, another hurt
CPS adds fund-distribution option
Police monitors choose new leader
Soldier gets overdue honors
D. DeLotell was bowling columnist
Good News: Cleanup champs honored
Local Digest
More money sought for home care
One turkey of a front yard
Site chosen for 2 schools
Butler un-caps payroll
Butler won't give money for buses
Congrats
Cutbacks might limit Butler jail
Judge cites race in change of sentences
Bush to visit Fort Campbell
Chamber to honor creators of thousands of local jobs
CROWLEY: Dem Hughes shows GOP's Murgatroyd the money
Newport police reaccredited
'Survivor' on the stump
Teens lucky wreck in Ky.
Woman dies in I-75 crash
Aerial GIS mapping aids N.Ky. development
Attempt to study hemp gets held up
Kentucky Digest
Official faces murder charge
Ruling on tax breaks awaited
Schools may get tab on tests
State balks at paying for more rescores
To settle suit, pick a mediator