Carroll DD board hears update on finances

Business Manager Ray Heaston educated members of the Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities on finances at their Feb. 26 meeting.

Heaston said the 2026 starting cash balance was $8,625,381.71, noting the budget accounts for the board-approved half-mill levy reduction for 2026.

Heaston also went over upcoming expenses that will come out of the permanent improvement fund. He explained HVAC units and roof sections were replaced in the same year and are due for replacement in 2029.

Heaston said the board also purchased three buses in 2016. Buses normally are replaced every 10 years. The plan is to purchase at least one in 2028.

In other business, Director of Education Ryan Buck reported on receiving an email from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth regarding fiscal year 2026 transition compliance feedback and Local Educational Agency notification for Carroll County.

“An early intervention service provider responsible for service coordination shall on or before, but not more than 10 calendar days in advance of, the first day of May, August and November of each year, identify each child turning 3 years of age within one year from the first day of the respective month and notify the local education agency where the child resides,” Ryan Buck told the board.

“Our analysis indicates that your county’s compliance percentage for notification to the LEA for Feb. 1, 2026, is 100%,” Buck said.

Superintendent Matt Campbell reported attending the Jan. 23 and Feb. 13 superintendents executive committee meetings via Zoom.

Campbell said the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities updates included guidance on county boards requesting financial assistance and exit waivers, waiver updates with new SSA requirements for two home visits and one day service visit a year.

Basic Employment Skills Training is still on hold, sustainability work continues, and Targeted Case Management is being properly tracked in the cost reports.

“Ohio Association of County Board updates on state funded waiver advocacy, interRAI training and sample names, new user guide for eligibility, and data collection needs for funding the future were also included,” he said.

Prior to adjourning, the board:

—Approved a resolution to participate in Stark County Schools Council of Governments cooperative advertising and receiving bids for integrated school bus units for 2026.

—Approved payment of January bills in the general funds account of $112,868.71 and January bills in the residential services account amounting to $149,580.06.

—Set the next meeting for March 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the county board office on North High Street in Carrollton.