10/07/2026
š³ļøš³ļøš³ļøš³ļøPOLL RESPONSE: The other most common response to the poll we posted was what will happen if the levy doesnāt pass.
Well, letās talk about it the possibilities:
ā¢The agency would have to operate with less local revenue.
Adams County Children Services has multiple revenue sourcesāstate, federal, local and levy fundingābut its 2024 financial report shows the levy was a significant source of revenue.
ā¢Cuts would likely have to be considered somewhere.
Because the levy specifically supports the operation of Children Services and the care and placement of children, losing that revenue could mean reducing expenditures, delaying or eliminating some services, or finding other county funding. Ohio law specifically recognizes that counties may need a levy because the normal General Fund appropriation for the county can be insufficient to adequately support Children Services.
ā¢ Services that support families could be affected.
Adams County currently offers the following services: investigations, protective supervision, case management, kinship care, foster care, adoption, transportation/visitation, emergency assistance and other services.
The agencyās philosophy is also to keep children safely with their families whenever possible, which requires resources for intervention and family supportānot just resources for removing children.
ā¢Wilson Childrenās Home would still have to operate, but its funding could be affected.
The levy on the ballot specifically covers the ācontinued operation of Adams County Children Services and the care and placement of children, including Wilson Childrenās Home.ā The Home currently provides residential care for up to 20 children, with staff on-site 24/7. ļæ¼
However, it does NOT mean the new Wilson Childrenās Home construction would suddenly be unfunded.
This is an important distinction to make as it has been a common misconception in the community for a while now. The new dormitory construction is being funded through other sourcesānot the Children Services levy. Local reporting specifically clarified that the approximately $2.7 million construction project is funded through ARPA, trust funds and an Ohio capital grant.
To put it plainly:
If the levy doesnāt pass, Children Services doesnāt simply disappearābut the funding available to provide those services is reduced. The county would then have to determine how to make up that loss, which could mean reductions in staffing, programs, services, or other expenditures. Meanwhile, the agency would still be legally required to respond when children are abused, neglected or unsafe.
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