Butler County Commissioners Approve Developmental Disabilities Levy for May 2026 Primary Ballot
After more than two decades of careful budgeting and financial planning, the Butler County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to place a 2.0-mill levy on the May 2026 primary ballot, following a formal request from the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Butler DD). The levy, if passed by voters, would generate $26.4 million annually and would cost $70 annually per property valued at $100,000 or roughly $5.83/month.
The levy proposal comes in response to a declared fiscal emergency by Butler DD in September 2025. Without new local funding, the agency projects a structural deficit that would exhaust reserves by early 2027.
“This levy is not about growing our services—it’s about preserving essential programs that over 4,200 Butler County residents with developmental disabilities rely on every day,” said Dan Hughes, a member of the Butler DD Board. “We’ve been responsible stewards of public dollars for more than 20 years, but the pressures we now face are beyond what can be solved with cuts alone.”
Superintendent Lee Ann Emmons presented the request to Commissioners in early December, citing a 380% increase in individuals requiring Medicaid waiver services since Butler DD’s last successful levy in 2004. Despite rising demand, Butler DD’s revenue has remained flat while costs continue to inflate.
In recent years, the agency has consolidated facilities, reduced staff, transitioned day services to private providers, and even returned $7.2 million to taxpayers—all in an effort to delay a levy request.
“We have exhausted every internal option to manage our budget without impacting services,” Emmons said. “The proposed levy would allow us to stabilize funding and continue delivering critical early intervention, transportation, residential care, and employment assistance—without disruption.”
The Commissioners’ approval clears the way for Butler DD to begin preparing for the May 2026 campaign.
If approved by voters, the levy would secure Butler DD’s ability to meet its legal obligations and maintain essential, community-based services throughout all stages of life.