Issue 7 passed with 26,843 votes yesterday renewing a $4.1 million tax levy for the next five years; 15,584 people voted against the levy.

Seventy-five percent of the Portage County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities’ funding comes from local funds, said Bev Puleo, treasurer for the citizens’ committee.

The renewal supports services provided by the county’s MRDD Board such as residential support, educational therapy services at Happy Day School, support for Industry, Inc.’s adult services and transportation services to and from Happy Day School and Portage Industries, Inc.

The funding also supports people with special needs from infancy through adulthood.

“We provide support to 800 individuals in different capacities,” said Patrick Macke, superintendent of Portage County MRDD. “Enrollment continues to grow.”

– Theresa Edwards