Friends of Fairfield DD Launch Campaign to Support Levy Renewal

Lancaster, OH – On May 6, 2025, voters will be asked to renew the current 1.85-mill property tax for the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Fairfield DD). The renewal, which will not increase tax rates, is needed to maintain support for services to individuals with developmental disabilities and operations at Forest Rose School.
 
In order to educate voters on the issue, Friends of Fairfield DD, the volunteer support arm for Fairfield County Board of DD, is launching a campaign to facilitate its passage. Made up of a group of community advocates, Friends of Fairfield DD will be helping spread the message to “vote yes to renew. Increasing independence – not taxes!”
 
The current 1.85-mill property tax, set to expire at the end of 2025 after a 10-year term, funds one-third of Fairfield County Board of DD’s operating budget, which supplies essential resources and provider support for nearly 2,000 individuals annually.
 
John Pekar, chair of Friends of Fairfield DD, explains the significance of this campaign. “To put it simply, Fairfield DD needs this funding to serve people in our community who have developmental disabilities,” said Pekar. “Fairfield County is the fifth fastest-growing county in Ohio since 2010, which means the demand for service is rising exponentially.” 
 
Other community members who are serving on the Friends of Fairfield DD committee, and will be working to share information about the levy include: Bob Competti, Deb Connell, Todd George, Stephanie Hall, Matt Hearn, Angela Krile, Alex Lape, Lori Sanders, and Jennifer Sitterley.
 
Funding for the renewal will enable Fairfield DD to facilitate critical supports, learning opportunities and community connections for individuals with developmental disabilities to lead them toward greater independence. 
 
For more information about the levy, visit www.fairfieldddlevy.org or Friends of Fairfield DD on Facebook.