Thrusday, December 24, 1998
$1.7 B county budget approved
BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County commissioners passed a $1.7 billion 1999 budget Wednesday, and will carry a $30.7 million surplus into the new year.
County officials credit the larger-than-expected surplus to a robust local economy that brought in more sales tax revenue than had been projected.
Earlier this year, county officials had estimated sales tax revenuewould grow in 1998 by 3.94 percent. The actual growth was 5.23 percent, giving the county an extra $56 million.
If the good economic conditions continue, Hamilton County officials expect to end 1999 with a surplus of about $21 million.
At that point, commissioners say, the county can begin looking at targeted tax cuts.
In the budget passed Wednesday, most of the current surplus will fund long-delayed maintenance projects and will pay for some of the county's capital expenses with cash instead of credit, said county administrator David Krings.
About $717 million of the $1.7 billion budget is made up of entitlement payments, such as welfare, over which the commissioners have no control.
Another $895 million goes to the county's operating budget, including payroll.
The general fund budget, through which most county services are funded, is where commissioners have the most control. Wednesday, they approved a general fund budget of $226 million, about $300,000 more than Mr. Krings recommended two weeks ago.
Much of the $300,000 will go toward new vehicles for the sheriff's department.
The $226 million general fund budget is about 11 percent higher than 1998. Most of the increase, according to Mr. Krings, is accounted for by “one-time” projects the county has wanted to do in the past but has delayed. Among those are $11.5 million for courthouse renovation and a new headquarters for the sheriff's patrol.
The budget also includes an across-the-board 4 percent pay increase for county employees. Last year, commissioners gave the employees a raise of 2.8 percent.
The 1999 budget also includes $97 million for the court system, $145.8 million for public works, and $88.2 million for public safety.
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