Jasper County taxpayers who have complained in the past that their taxes never go down can complain no more. Thanks to a redesign of the Adult Mental Health and Disabilities System, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors was able to significantly reduce the mental health levy for next fiscal year.

The supervisors decreased the mental health levy from $2.272 per $1,000 of valuation to $1.457 per $1,000 valuation, effective for the fiscal year 2012-2013 budget, which begins on July 1. That decreased the budget by $1,081,660. Mental health services are expected to remain at the current level.

Community Services Director Jody Eaton announced earlier this month that Jasper County is joining a consortium of three other counties, including Poweshiek, Marion and Mahaska to implement the Adult Mental Health System. The state will now cover the non-federal share of waiver services, lowering the costs for the county by more than $1 million. The levy is the lowest tax asking in the last eight years in Jasper County.