A total of $127,900 is being doled out to 10 social service agencies seeking a funding boost for their community assistance programs.
On Feb. 20, the Boone County Fiscal Court approved 10 mid-year tax fund allocations to social service agencies in the county and across Northern Kentucky. The funding comes from the county’s aging, intellectual disabilities and mental health payroll tax.
The funds distributed by the county must be used only by Boone County residents. Boone County Director of Community Services and Programs Laura Pleiman said the county conducts audits of specific program’s client files to ensure the recipient is a citizen of Boone County.
“Many of these are regional entities that do work across the region, but yes, we do want to make sure out tax dollars are being used for Boone County residents,” said Judge/Executive Gary Moore at the meeting.
Implemented in 1986, the tax is a .0015% occupational license fee capped at $25 annually for people employed in Boone County. Between Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, the tax has a community impact of $6 million, according to Pleiman.
“The allocations can be impacted by a lot of different things,” Pleiman said. “Just how the programs are being utilized — if there’s a dramatic increase or decrease. If unit rates have changed from one year to another, that can certainly impact utilization as well. Then just organizational capacity — if they’ve expanded beyond their reach sometimes or if they have been understaffed — that can really impact how well they can utilize funds they have been awarded.”
Applications for the funding were due on Jan. 31. Prior to approval, submissions are then reviewed by the county’s Tax Board Advisory Committee. After that, the submissions are brought before the fiscal court and voted on.
The social service organizations approved for midyear increases are:
- BAWAC Community Rehabilitation Center
- Adult Day Training: $33,000
- Supported Employment: $5,000
- Brighton Center
- Emergency Assistance Under 60: $3,000
- DCCH Center for Children and Families
- Residential Treatment: $15,000
- Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky: $3,000
- Faith Community Pharmacy
- Prescription Assistance under 60: $2,300
- Family Nurturing Center
- Child Abuse Treatment Services: $18,200
- Parenting Education: $9,000
- Stewards of Children: $400
- Florence Christian Church
- Shower and laundry: $4,000
- NKY Health Department
- Dental Services: $24,000
- Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
- Emergency Assistance under 60: $6,000
- Welcome House
- Emergency Shelter Women: $5,000
Boone County approves funds for 10 social service agencies – LINK nky