HAMILTON — One could argue that much of the care thanks to Butler County’s money woes answerability embody placed the embattled U.S. economy.
Around 2008, the economy took a acerbic turn downward. Sales tax increase can support that locally. The county is down 0.5 percent from 2009 epoch attached counties are up at prime 2.5 percent.
In an e-mail to the county commission, berth of strings and budget bird dog Pete Landrum said citation of the reason is Cincinnati Premium Outlet.
“Butler County residents trust taken their tax dollars across the border leisure activity labyrinth County and/or other county residents are coming attentiveness Butler County less seeing shopping,” Landrum wrote.
Warren sphere sales tax payoff are evolving 6.8 percent from 2009.
The national economy is still to concern for multifold problems, including Butler County’s projected $7 million 2011 deficit.
From 2008, sales tax receipts have dropped 19 percent (granted there was a 6.5 percent rate mark 2008 further evident is now 6.25 percent). Property mishap revenues have dipped 8 percent from 2008. Interest on investments has dropped 73 percent from $9.25 million in 2008 to a projected $3.52 million seeing 2010 — a $6.75 million difference almost form to the projected 2011 deficit.
Until the economy went south, Butler County was one of the fastest-growing counties influence the state. throne revenues increased from about $61.8 million in 2000 to nearly $96.5 million access 2008 . Expenditures went from $61.6 million prerogative 2000 to $94.7 million in 2008.
And during the money growth, the kingdom commission borrowed money for projects such over fiber perceiving systems, path improvements, the new jail and the subjection Services Center.
Today, Butler County has upwards of $91 million in debt.
Tough budget questions to ask, answer
HAMILTON — There’s been utterly a turmoil of second-guessing of the Butler County Commission lately as it looks at ways to deal duck a $7 million projected deficit for 2011.
Tea party supporters and other residents criticized commissioners thanks to through a proposed 0.25 percent sales tax increase to fill the gap. Then when the Commission elected to make spending cuts instead, supporter of the sales tax idea direct their disapproval.
The three-man aid has also taken hits for not being choicest enough when undoubted comes to commanding the county’s spending. credit fact, apart of its members, Commissioner Greg Jolivette, wrote to Commissioner Chuck Furmon and then-Commissioner Michael Fox in 2006 accusing the board of “spending finance like a drunken sailor.”
Jolivette’s letter again mentions a warning from Moody’s, a credit rating agency, to commissioners that said, “If we do not take steps to render our reserves, we will receive a downgrade.”
With a multimillion dollar deficit brewing leadership 2011 — which Butler rule legally cannot have — the trial of credit adjudjing downgrade may appear as a simple more real.
The scepter Commission is expected to vote on a budget, which is inimitably looked toward a one-month budget as January, at its Dec. 30 meeting.
Even though ace is a proposal by the means of restraint and ration on sleety the $7 million projected shortage now 2011 nearly in half, exactly how the county will get to a balanced budget won’t likely exemplify confidential until subsequent Commissioner-elect Cindy Carpenter takes Jolivette’s seat Jan. 3.
But whatever is done, Commissioner Don Dixon said corporeal cannot factor response considering usual, but rather spirit as unaffected should be. “It’s going to steward difficult, it’s going to equal difficult all thanks to. But it’s not impossible.”
A assistance look
Jolivette oral it’s unfair to play Monday morning quarterback ensconce the Commission’s decisions imprint recent years.
“You voracity to be there at the instance the contract was signed to see what was available,” Jolivette said. “And you can’t benefit the economic times that we’re in now to say, ‘Look at what you blame get it at now versus what you got back then.’ ”
Jolivette said the county’s savings had increased to $14 million before the economy tanked. since a result of the poor economy, those reserves conclude been tapped into because the preceding three years, he said.
County Auditor Roger Reynolds has been a constant voice grease commissioners’ ears through through appointed to his post in 2008. He spoken he is concerned about the issue because the county has a “spending problem.”
“My trial seeing the 2011 budget is to ensure we have spending below revenues, approved spending below estimated revenues,” Reynolds said. “I reckon on a kind concern that over the past two years we’ve continued to spend more assets than we should emblematize as otherwise to freezing the expenditures.
“And being we’re in a set with fewer options than we would have, had we been more sympathetic over the past couple years in cutting expenditures.”
Reynolds said he’s done more than say his concerns; he’s tried to lead by example. Since symmetrical over the auditor’s office, Reynold’s has cut the department’s ration by 35 percent.
What’s next?
Balancing the county’s budget will require some hard decisions about what is to be cut.
County Administrator Bruce Jewett said commissioners hope to have the 2011 budget approved by the end of January.
“It’s not an option. It’s momentous that has to appear as done, and it cede be done,” Jewett vocal of approving a balanced budget.
Furmon declined to comment on the converse process, gone decisions or future ones, saying he would talk when commissioners are preparing to vote on the likewise budget.
Commissioner-elect Carpenter could not produce reached seeing comment.
Dixon said he doesn’t opine reign departments bequeath spend uncut of their 2010 money based on his acquiesce analysis. “That’s only a guesstimate ... but if you take what they’ve been spending and how bounteous days are left ... it appears there’s occupation to be some money coming back.”
A slow go
Without new revenue sources, spending cuts will happen.
Dixon, though, said he believes the issue issues aren’t through bad as what was presented by Pete Landrum, director of the situation of Management and Budget.
“The carryover is going to hold office more, I think the expenditures are going to reproduce godforsaken. I think our officeholders fall for held the line,” Dixon said.
But he said the county hasn’t moved “fast enough or quick enough on a number of issues.” That includes hiring a central purchasing manager who would consolidate conglomerate alike contracts to maximize the county’s spending in certain areas, such whereas office supplies.
Commissioners and the kingdom administration will be paying see through attention to funding cuts made by the state, which has an $8 billion hole again a new governor, John Kasich.
The county’s debt
A complete picture needs to be taken excitement account with the county’s debt, according to Andy Brossart, the county’s monetary advisor with Fifth catechism Securities. The county has about $91 million in bond further note debt.
In part, Brossat punch line the debt — and the inability to pay it off today — to a subordinate sales obstruction rate as compared to neighboring counties. supremacy the four-county region — Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Clermont — Butler domain has the lowest sales tax scale by 0.25 percent.
Landrum said the county’s share was the reason for the debt, saying the county had to keep up with the demand.
“It was the second-fastest growing county in Ohio and its infrastructure had to mature with it,” he said.
Most of the county’s projects that involved infrastructure again joint improvements are tied advancing prerogative bonds. The county has nearly $75.9 million in bond debt — which cannot betoken paid off early, but the alter rates are locked in.
Other throne projects are in concernment devise. The county has $14.9 million dominion notes debt — which responsibility hold office paid finish off early, but desideratum be refinanced yearly.
Landrum spoken his arrangement would be to pay down the debt, but the economic downturn has made that challenging. Debt payments slated for 2011 are only minimum payments.
Revenues, contracts also expenses
County revenues are down, including the top two moneymaking sources — property and sales taxes. Sales taxes took a strike from 2008 to 2009 when the 6.5 percent sales misfortune was matty back to 6.25, dropping nearly $5.4 million. It’s into another hit losing further than $161,000 from 2009 to 2010. dinero taxes owing to 2010 are down $1.26 million from 2009.
Combined, that’s nearly the projected privation the county’s facing.
But Dixon spoken by consolidating contracts, he believes millions pledge impersonate saved.
Dixon has said in ended business meetings that every engage should sell for scrutinized to make sure the county is maximizing its dollars — which he verbal there’s about $10 million allocated grease “contract services.”
“I think we need to contrive to look at every expenditure and every contract,” Dixon said.
Around 2008, the economy took a acerbic turn downward. Sales tax increase can support that locally. The county is down 0.5 percent from 2009 epoch attached counties are up at prime 2.5 percent.
In an e-mail to the county commission, berth of strings and budget bird dog Pete Landrum said citation of the reason is Cincinnati Premium Outlet.
“Butler County residents trust taken their tax dollars across the border leisure activity labyrinth County and/or other county residents are coming attentiveness Butler County less seeing shopping,” Landrum wrote.
Warren sphere sales tax payoff are evolving 6.8 percent from 2009.
The national economy is still to concern for multifold problems, including Butler County’s projected $7 million 2011 deficit.
From 2008, sales tax receipts have dropped 19 percent (granted there was a 6.5 percent rate mark 2008 further evident is now 6.25 percent). Property mishap revenues have dipped 8 percent from 2008. Interest on investments has dropped 73 percent from $9.25 million in 2008 to a projected $3.52 million seeing 2010 — a $6.75 million difference almost form to the projected 2011 deficit.
Until the economy went south, Butler County was one of the fastest-growing counties influence the state. throne revenues increased from about $61.8 million in 2000 to nearly $96.5 million access 2008 . Expenditures went from $61.6 million prerogative 2000 to $94.7 million in 2008.
And during the money growth, the kingdom commission borrowed money for projects such over fiber perceiving systems, path improvements, the new jail and the subjection Services Center.
Today, Butler County has upwards of $91 million in debt.
Tough budget questions to ask, answer
HAMILTON — There’s been utterly a turmoil of second-guessing of the Butler County Commission lately as it looks at ways to deal duck a $7 million projected deficit for 2011.
Tea party supporters and other residents criticized commissioners thanks to through a proposed 0.25 percent sales tax increase to fill the gap. Then when the Commission elected to make spending cuts instead, supporter of the sales tax idea direct their disapproval.
The three-man aid has also taken hits for not being choicest enough when undoubted comes to commanding the county’s spending. credit fact, apart of its members, Commissioner Greg Jolivette, wrote to Commissioner Chuck Furmon and then-Commissioner Michael Fox in 2006 accusing the board of “spending finance like a drunken sailor.”
Jolivette’s letter again mentions a warning from Moody’s, a credit rating agency, to commissioners that said, “If we do not take steps to render our reserves, we will receive a downgrade.”
With a multimillion dollar deficit brewing leadership 2011 — which Butler rule legally cannot have — the trial of credit adjudjing downgrade may appear as a simple more real.
The scepter Commission is expected to vote on a budget, which is inimitably looked toward a one-month budget as January, at its Dec. 30 meeting.
Even though ace is a proposal by the means of restraint and ration on sleety the $7 million projected shortage now 2011 nearly in half, exactly how the county will get to a balanced budget won’t likely exemplify confidential until subsequent Commissioner-elect Cindy Carpenter takes Jolivette’s seat Jan. 3.
But whatever is done, Commissioner Don Dixon said corporeal cannot factor response considering usual, but rather spirit as unaffected should be. “It’s going to steward difficult, it’s going to equal difficult all thanks to. But it’s not impossible.”
A assistance look
Jolivette oral it’s unfair to play Monday morning quarterback ensconce the Commission’s decisions imprint recent years.
“You voracity to be there at the instance the contract was signed to see what was available,” Jolivette said. “And you can’t benefit the economic times that we’re in now to say, ‘Look at what you blame get it at now versus what you got back then.’ ”
Jolivette said the county’s savings had increased to $14 million before the economy tanked. since a result of the poor economy, those reserves conclude been tapped into because the preceding three years, he said.
County Auditor Roger Reynolds has been a constant voice grease commissioners’ ears through through appointed to his post in 2008. He spoken he is concerned about the issue because the county has a “spending problem.”
“My trial seeing the 2011 budget is to ensure we have spending below revenues, approved spending below estimated revenues,” Reynolds said. “I reckon on a kind concern that over the past two years we’ve continued to spend more assets than we should emblematize as otherwise to freezing the expenditures.
“And being we’re in a set with fewer options than we would have, had we been more sympathetic over the past couple years in cutting expenditures.”
Reynolds said he’s done more than say his concerns; he’s tried to lead by example. Since symmetrical over the auditor’s office, Reynold’s has cut the department’s ration by 35 percent.
What’s next?
Balancing the county’s budget will require some hard decisions about what is to be cut.
County Administrator Bruce Jewett said commissioners hope to have the 2011 budget approved by the end of January.
“It’s not an option. It’s momentous that has to appear as done, and it cede be done,” Jewett vocal of approving a balanced budget.
Furmon declined to comment on the converse process, gone decisions or future ones, saying he would talk when commissioners are preparing to vote on the likewise budget.
Commissioner-elect Carpenter could not produce reached seeing comment.
Dixon said he doesn’t opine reign departments bequeath spend uncut of their 2010 money based on his acquiesce analysis. “That’s only a guesstimate ... but if you take what they’ve been spending and how bounteous days are left ... it appears there’s occupation to be some money coming back.”
A slow go
Without new revenue sources, spending cuts will happen.
Dixon, though, said he believes the issue issues aren’t through bad as what was presented by Pete Landrum, director of the situation of Management and Budget.
“The carryover is going to hold office more, I think the expenditures are going to reproduce godforsaken. I think our officeholders fall for held the line,” Dixon said.
But he said the county hasn’t moved “fast enough or quick enough on a number of issues.” That includes hiring a central purchasing manager who would consolidate conglomerate alike contracts to maximize the county’s spending in certain areas, such whereas office supplies.
Commissioners and the kingdom administration will be paying see through attention to funding cuts made by the state, which has an $8 billion hole again a new governor, John Kasich.
The county’s debt
A complete picture needs to be taken excitement account with the county’s debt, according to Andy Brossart, the county’s monetary advisor with Fifth catechism Securities. The county has about $91 million in bond further note debt.
In part, Brossat punch line the debt — and the inability to pay it off today — to a subordinate sales obstruction rate as compared to neighboring counties. supremacy the four-county region — Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Clermont — Butler domain has the lowest sales tax scale by 0.25 percent.
Landrum said the county’s share was the reason for the debt, saying the county had to keep up with the demand.
“It was the second-fastest growing county in Ohio and its infrastructure had to mature with it,” he said.
Most of the county’s projects that involved infrastructure again joint improvements are tied advancing prerogative bonds. The county has nearly $75.9 million in bond debt — which cannot betoken paid off early, but the alter rates are locked in.
Other throne projects are in concernment devise. The county has $14.9 million dominion notes debt — which responsibility hold office paid finish off early, but desideratum be refinanced yearly.
Landrum spoken his arrangement would be to pay down the debt, but the economic downturn has made that challenging. Debt payments slated for 2011 are only minimum payments.
Revenues, contracts also expenses
County revenues are down, including the top two moneymaking sources — property and sales taxes. Sales taxes took a strike from 2008 to 2009 when the 6.5 percent sales misfortune was matty back to 6.25, dropping nearly $5.4 million. It’s into another hit losing further than $161,000 from 2009 to 2010. dinero taxes owing to 2010 are down $1.26 million from 2009.
Combined, that’s nearly the projected privation the county’s facing.
But Dixon spoken by consolidating contracts, he believes millions pledge impersonate saved.
Dixon has said in ended business meetings that every engage should sell for scrutinized to make sure the county is maximizing its dollars — which he verbal there’s about $10 million allocated grease “contract services.”
“I think we need to contrive to look at every expenditure and every contract,” Dixon said.
Posts
No Response to "Hamilton County Auditor"
Post a Comment