Boone County Fiscal Court approved $3,095,300 in funding for 83 programs serving residents with mental health needs, intellectual disabilities and aging-related challenges.
The funding comes from the county’s voter-approved Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Occupational Aging Tax, which is capped at $25 annually per worker.
Fiscal Year 2027 funding includes $624,800 for aging services, $748,500 for intellectual disability programs and $1.727 million for mental health initiatives.
Boone County has approved the allocation of over $3 million from its Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Occupational Aging Tax to local nonprofits that provide critical services to the residents of the county.
On Tuesday, June 9, the Boone County Fiscal Court approved a resolution distributing $3,095,300 to support programs dedicated exclusively to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, older adults and those experiencing mental health challenges.
Funding for these services comes from the annual collection of Boone County’s Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Occupational Aging Tax. First implemented in 1987, the tax is a .0015% occupational license fee capped at $25 annually.
The tax was initially proposed in 1986 by representatives from local community organizations, such as Senior Services of Northern Kentucky, in response to federal funding cuts. The tax was approved by Boone County voters later that year.
“They (MH, ID & Aging funds) were dedicated by the voters of this county for these social service categories, separate from the rest of our budget,” Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore said. “It was intended that way so that these dollars for these programs don’t compete with funds for law enforcement or for public works, or whatever it might be.”
Essentially, the funds collected from the tax are delegated and distributed to organizations that provide services or mental health, intellectual disability and occupational aging. The funds are required to be used only by Boone County residents.
Laura Pleiman, Boone County’s human services department director, said the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 recommendation reflects a 15% increase over the previous year, with $624,800 allocated to aging services, $748,500 to intellectual disability services and $1,727,000 to mental health programs. The funding supports 83 programs across 43 organizations.
“‘When we look at the budget, we’re understanding where our trends have been as far as asks,” Pleiman said. “The number of organizations that serve intellectual disability and individuals with intellectual disabilities is lesser, and so we have an idea of going into it of what we need.”
Pleiman said Kenton and Campbell County each have similar taxes, with the collective total of funding across the three primary Northern Kentucky counties totaling upwards of $8 million.
Reviews of funding allocations are conducted by the Boone County Tax Board, which comprised of three different citizen advisory committees appointed by the fiscal court. The board consists of nine Boone County residents with either professional, civic, or personal interests in mental health, intellectual disability, or aging fields. The board evaluates funding applications using financial documents, audited statements, program outcomes, utilization data, and organizational reports.
“They focus on investing county funds to expand services to Boone County residents, assuring the expansion doesn’t happen at the expense of other available funding coming into organizations,” Pleiman said. “We like to see how we can increase the accessibility of services, to reduce wait lists or barriers for programming. It maintains a focus on lower cost interventions over more costlier services, and reviews of program outcomes for effectiveness.”
Boone County uses the American Psychological Association’s definitions of mental health, intellectual disability, and aging to provide a clearer scope for which organizations qualify to receive the funding.
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