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Wheeling Township Mental Health board about to set $1.4 million budget

Wheeling Township’s community mental health board is expected to approve a $1.4 million tentative budget next week as it prepares for its first tax levy nearly three years after the board was created by referendum.

Last week, the mental health board reached tentative agreement on the budget. It meets again Oct. 8.

Although some of the funding would go toward administration and projects such as transportation, more than $1.1 million is earmarked for grants.

Among those being considered for grants are Gerry’s Cafe, the Kenneth Young Center and the Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault.

Despite receiving voter approval in 2022 to create the board, Wheeling Township trustees resisted levying a tax for the board. A more sympathetic board that included referendum advocates was elected in April. The township board is expected to approve the levy later this year.

One of those recently elected advocates was Trustee Lorri Grainawi, who represents the township board on the mental health panel.

“This is a historic moment,” she said. “We get to make a recommendation for our very first levy. I’m really proud and excited to be on this board.”

Mental health board member Bill Dixon suggested the request should not go beyond $1.5 million initially projected as the annual request.

“I think we have to be mindful of what the community thought it approved,” he said. “Because I’m sure whatever we do is going to be compared to that.”

However, Grainawi expressed concern the board might need additional financial cushion beyond the tentatively agreed upon budget figure.