By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County government would oversee $2.3 billion worth of spending next year under the budget proposed Wednesday by the county's top executive.

Sounds like a lot of money, but Administrator David Krings is calling it the tightest budget he has assembled in his dozen years running Hamilton County. The budget would drop overall spending below 1999 levels and eliminate about six jobs through attrition, leaving 6,324 full-time county positions.

"I really was quite concerned about being able to balance this budget," he said.

Key recommendations proposed by Krings:

• Three percent raises for all county employees, plus two merit bonuses averaging 1 percent each.

• $2 million to encourage economic development; specific use to be determined.

• A 14 percent increase in Metropolitan Sewer District rates.

The budget appears to be a slight increase from 2003's $2.2 billion budget, but that's largely explained away by accounting changes, Krings said.

The majority of the money goes to services the federal and state governments require be offered.

The biggies are so-called entitlement programs such as Medicaid and public assistance, which by themselves will account for about $1.1 billion of Hamilton County's budget next year, Assistant County Administrator Eric Stuckey said. The federal government and the state supply the tax money that counties must distribute to those who qualify.

The county also gets money that's restricted to a specific category of use. The half-percent stadium sales tax approved by voters in 1996 is being used to pay for Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park. The county engineer has a $22 million road and bridge fund. .

Money generated by special levies - such as those for children's services and mental health - also comes through the county. Many of the services paid for by levies are mandated by the state and federal governments.

County commissioners have the most control over the general fund, a mixed bag of local sales and property taxes, fines, fees and some state money that amounts to 11 percent of the budget. It's expected to be $257.7 million in 2004, down from $258.6 million this year.

But even the general fund often must be used to keep vital departments such as the county courts and the sheriff's office running. Krings is recommending $180 million of the general fund be spent just on public safety and the judicial system next year.

Commissioners will have a public hearing on the budget Dec. 10 and hope to vote on it Dec. 17.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com