Legislature overrides veto on developmental-disability levy ordinance

The Jackson County Legislature voted on Sept. 30 to override the county executive's veto of ordinance 6,134, which adjusts the levy supporting services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The clerk recorded seven yes votes and two absent, approving the override.

During discussion the chair read finance figures for the developmental-disability levy, saying the 2025 rate was 0.0728 and the 2026 rate would be 0.0765, which the chair estimated would result in roughly $159,415 in additional revenue. "The developmentally disabled is 6,134. The 2025 rate was 0.0728. The 2026 rate is 0.0765," the chair said.

Legislator Anderson, who moved the override for both ordinances, reiterated that assessed values had fallen and that the proposed adjustments come from the finance department to keep those funds level, not to expand staffing or program scope. After limited discussion and a roll-call vote, the clerk announced the overrides passed with seven yes votes; two members were absent.

Legislators noted the cumulative impact of the two levy adjustments would vary by parcel value; proponents said spreading the combined increases across the county's roughly 300,000 parcels produces a small per-property effect but preserves agency budgets for the remainder of the year.