LEBANON — Warren County's agency for the mentally disabled will seek a 4-mill replacement tax, board members decided Tuesday, expressing hope that voters will give more weight to individuals' needs than a 2 1/2-year-old scandal.

        “The board and administrative team have been extraordinarily proactive in righting wrongs,” said Cathy Hamilton, president of the Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

        “We've got clients that depend on local, state and federal dollars to have a shot at a life that most of us take for granted,” Ms. Hamilton said.

        Warren County property owners already pay 4 mills for MRDD services, but through two levies based on 1980 and 1990 values.

        Replacing the levies would add $6.5 million to the $8.7 million MRDD gets from them annually.

        The agency has left 14 jobs unfilled because of tight finances, officials say, and it will have a $5.9 million deficit by 2004 if the levy doesn't pass.

        The county MRDD came under fire in 2000 over two houses that officials bought at well above market value. The board and top administrators were forced out. MRDD's new leaders have been credited with overhauling the agency.

        “It was a very difficult situation to be in, and they turned it around incredibly quickly,” said Jeff Davis, deputy director of the state MRDD, at Tuesday's board meeting.

        MRDD provides vocational training, day care, housing and other help to the mentally disabled.

        A growing demand for services is driven by the county's population boom and medical advances that keep people alive longer, board member Chuck Beatty said.

        “Our costs are never going to go down; they're only going up,” Mr. Beatty said.

        The replacement levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $61 a year.

        Mental Health Recovery Services of Warren and Clinton Counties also is expected to seek a levy in November.

Divorce granted to dead husband
Lawmakers close in on budget deal
N. Ky. vote totals
Buckler trounces opposition
Davis wins primary for a seat in House
Few voters turn out for primary
incumbents win Newport commission primary
Missing cartridges slow count in Kenton, Campbell counties
Ousted ex-mayor finishes last
12 out of 13 win in race for Independence council
Rechtin upends incumbent Vories
Spending can't save Plummer
Two newcomers win for GOP in Boone
Adoption settlement gets OK'd
Anti-crime leaders to gather
Ex-officer sues city and county
Local theologians covered on oath
N. Fairmount man's suit claims two officers kidnapped him, dumped him in city park
Obituary: Agnese Brienza, 70, expert on Hamilton Co.
State opens abuser registry
Students: We want you on our panel
Trial of girl in bleach death begins
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Good guys
KORTE: City Hall
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: Don't call me ...
Agency for mentally disabled seeks tax increase
Hamilton carves niche as 'City of Sculpture'
Home assault case is revealed
Monroe picks local resident as new high school principal
Stoker is Big D in GOP domain
Utility rates could go up by a third
Woman gets prison for rape claims
China to buy cattle, equipment from Ky.
Weinberg claims win over Barlow