A referendum to create a Knox County Board of Mental Health is one step away from the ballot.
KCCDD CEO Mark Rudolph has spearheaded a campaign to create the health authority.
He confirmed with WGIL that an advisory committee voted unanimously yesterday to call for a vote from the county board, later this month. The board would need to approve the measure if the referendum were to go to voters in the April municipal elections, next year.
The board’s creation would mean a tax increase, which Rudolph has said could be a “hard sell.” He tells WGIL that for the $100,000 homeowner, the additional property tax would be roughly $50, per year.
“But I think it’s not so much to focus on that number as to what that $50 is going to buy,” Rudolph says. “I think most people today understand a value proposition. They understand that ‘if I’m going to spend some money then I really want to get good value for that.’ I think that’s really where we have to look at this from is ‘how can we maximize those dollars to give real value back to the community that someone can see?'”
Proponents of the “708 board” say it’s needed to keep funding in place for mental health services and substance abuse services.
The county board will vote, December 28.
Speaking of the county board, incoming member David Amor will be the new liaison to the county’s board of health.
Chairwoman Pam Davidson, who originally said she would stay on as liaison, told board of health members last night that she will instead appoint Amor to the post.
