Supporters of a sales tax initiative to help fund children’s services say the numbers tell the story.

In 2008 alone in Warren County, 44 teenagers became mothers, 212 youth were in need of intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment and 258 children were in need of services due to a high risk of child abuse.

Those same supporters say in order for a children’s service fund to be established, Proposition 1 Putting Kids First needs community support. The quarter-cent sales tax levy will be decided by voters in the Nov. 2 general election.

To help raise awareness of the initiative, a campaign kickoff and balloon launch was held last Tuesday outside the Warren County Courthouse. Attending the small gathering were Warren County Resource Board members, community supporters and representatives from local health care agencies.

Volunteers participated in the Marthasville Fall Festival parade held Saturday and will be handing out buttons and pens at the Strassenbash parade this Saturday. Supporters also are needed to help with mailings and other pre-election events.

“The youth in this county are Warren County’s future and we need to do all we can to help them become more productive members of the society and community,” said Karl Lenzenhuber, resource board president.

The sales tax could fund services such as drug/alcohol treatment and prevention, home- and school-based family intervention, counseling and teen pregnancy. The funds can only be used for youth 19 and younger.

According to county officials, the quarter-cent sales tax would generate approximately $587,000 annually based on current projections. A simple majority is required for passage. 

Supporters say with voter approval, agencies that have services available in neighboring counties would be able to expand those locally and be more accessible.

During the brief gathering last week, campaign coordinators Charlie Denn and Rich Lagemann were both introduced. They are helping educate the public about the benefits of the tax. 

Lagemann, for one, saw the need for a closer accessibility for children’s services. He retired in June following a lengthy career in education, including 13 years spent as a middle school principal and five years guiding the Wright City Academy alternative school.

 “As an administrator, I was frustrated many times to have kids who needed some help and not have the services available that they needed in Warren County,” Lagemann said. “That is why I believe this issue is very important, so our kids can now get the help when they need it.”

The all-volunteer resource board, modeled after those created in nearby counties, has the authority to allocate the funds where it deems necessary. The board is comprised of county residents appointed by the county commission.

A phone polling conducted in July showed that 71 percent of more than 400 voters contacted were in favor of the tax. That figure jumped up to 79 percent once the tax was explained further and how the funds would be used. 

In comparison, 18 percent were against the tax pre-message with 11 percent undecided, but those numbers shrunk to 16 percent against and 5 percent undecided after the initiative was discussed further.

Should Prop 1 fail in the November election, proponents would have to wait two years until the initiative can be placed on the ballot again.

For more information on Putting Kids First, visit www.prop1forkids.org.