In the 2024 March election, the Logan County Children’s Services levy narrowly lost by 8 votes, with the final tally being 3,522 to 3,514. According to Logan County Children’s Services, they are the only agency in the county whose sole purpose is the protection of abused and neglected children. In 2023, they served over 800 children in Logan County. The levy was to amount to less than a quarter a day—$75 per year—for the owner of a $100,000 property.
Later in the year, Children’s Services saw a new Director in June. Logan County Children’s Services Board announced the appointment of Erica James as the new Executive Director, succeeding Melanie Engle, who resigned in March after 20 years of dedicated service. James brought nearly 16 years of social work experience to her new role. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Wright State University and began her career at Logan County Children’s Services as a child welfare worker, serving for six years. During her tenure, she diligently pursued further education and obtained her Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University. After her initial stint at Logan County Children’s Services, James transitioned to the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, where she worked as a Medical Social Worker for almost three years, addressing the social and emotional needs of patients. She then expanded her expertise at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, serving as an EPSEA Liaison and Coordinator for the past seven years. In this role, she strengthened partnerships with Franklin County Children’s Services, providing vital academic and social-emotional support to youth in care. Her first day in this role was Thursday, June 27th.
The failure of the levy in the spring would put pressure on some local budgets, including possible cuts in the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Dodds would join the efforts to help spread the word about the levy, stressing it was no new money to taxpayers, and that the current amount would not change, it would just renew.
In the fall, the levy would pass:
- For- 12,839
- Against- 9,539
Ballot wording included: A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Logan County for the purpose of supporting Children’s Services and the care, protection, and placement of abused, neglected, and dependent children that the county auditor estimates will collect $2,600,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 2.15 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $75 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.
