Lorain County Children Services asks commissioners to place .45‑mill levy on November ballot

Kristen Fox‑Berki, executive director of Lorain County Children Services, asked commissioners on July 17 to place a .45‑mill levy on the November 3, 2026 ballot to preserve services for abused, neglected and dependent children.

Fox‑Berki told the board the levy “is used to fund essential services to Lorain County's abused, neglected and dependent children,” and that the levy “makes up 50% of our operating budget and the other 50% comes from state and federal funds.” She said the levy would cost a homeowner $16 per year for every $100,000 in home value.

The board adopted Resolution No. 26‑413 declaring it necessary to levy the additional .45 mills; the clerk was directed to certify the resolution to the Lorain County Board of Elections by the statutory filing deadline. The resolution includes Fiscal estimates from the county auditor that the levy would generate roughly $5,405,086 annually if approved and that the requested levy would run for five years to begin collection in 2027.

Fox‑Berki summarized the agency’s workload: in 2025 the agency received about 5,000 referrals countywide, with roughly 75% from mandated reporters and about half of referrals categorized as neglect. She told commissioners the agency has reduced staffing through attrition, tightened spending 17% from 2023 to 2025, and face sharply higher placement costs in recent years.

Commissioners Moore and Gallagher both voiced support for the agency’s work and moved to place the measure on the ballot.