Wednesday, January 06, 1999
Warren budget of $35M OK'd
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — Flush with increasing revenues from a growing county, Warren commissioners Tuesday approved a $35.5 million 1999 general fund budget, up 12 percent from 1998.
That still leaves at least a $2 million “rainy day fund” — money that County Auditor Nick Nelson expects the county to receive through sales and property taxes but that commissioners did not appropriate.
“Any county's probably envious to say they have a conservative auditor,” said Tiffany Ferrell-Sauer, director of office management, “and that they're going to get more (revenue) than they expect.”
A bigger budget won't mean larger tax bills for residents, Mrs. Ferrell-Sauer said. In fact, the robust economy coupled with the county's burgeoning population translated into a $6.5 million tax rollback in 1997 and 1998, she said.
Commissioners approved another $500,000 tax reduction for 1999. That means the owner of a $100,000 home is paying about $55 less in property taxes this year, Mr. Nelson said.
“It's rare around the state that a county is in this good of financial condition,” he said.
Commissioners will determine later this year whether to continue the tax reduction in 2000, Mr. Nelson said.
The county's tax base has expanded with its population, industrial and commercial growth. Warren County is the second-fastest growing in the state, with a population jump from 113,927 in 1990 to an estimated 140,080 in 1997.
Still, Mr. Nelson acted as a fiscal conservative in estimating how much revenue the county would receive this year. Even though the county pulled in $31 million in 1998 from sales and property tax, transfers, recorders fees and investment interest, Mr. Nelson projected 1999 revenue at $28 million.
If — and when — more money comes in, the county will have a cushion, Mr. Nelson said. The surplus money will serve as a rainy-day fund to rely on when the growth slows.
Sales tax provides the biggest chunk of revenue for the county; in 1997, it was 44 percent. The county received $2.2 million more sales tax revenue in 1998 than it did in 1997, a 17 percent increase.
“I expect the economy to level off,” Mr. Nelson said. “I don't know if you can predict 17 percent increases forever. It's off the charts now.”
Mr. Nelson said a slowdown in the economy also will affect other sources of revenue, including building inspection fees, property transfer taxes and recorders' fees.
This year's budget includes a cost-of-living raise of 3 percent for the nearly 1,000 county employees. It also adds 12 workers to the payroll.
The county is expected to spend at least $300,000 this year to get its computers and electrical equipment in year 2000 (Y2K) compliance.
The total budget for the county — including water and sewer, capital projects, debt payments and social services — is $149 million, 26 percent higher than last year. Major construction projects — including sewer and water expansions, building an administration facility and expanding the jail — account for most of that.
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TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren budget of $35M OK'd
