1/30/14 Commissioners approve $11 million general fund budget

  • By Nick Sabo
  • January 30, 2014
  • 373
                        
SUMMARY: Budget includes three percent pay increase The Holmes County Commissioners have appropriated $1 million for capital improvements and unexpected expenses in a $11.197 million general fund budget. Commissioners approved the 2014 general fund budget Monday Jan. 27 that includes a three percent wage increase for county employees and absorbs an eight percent increase on employee insurance premiums. The budget, at $11,197,793.32, is $778,009 higher than last year’s budget. Commissioner Rob Ault said the county’s budget has been boosted by strong tax revenues. Ault said the sales tax, property tax and conveyance tax are all up. The contingencies line item - similar to a rainy day fund - has been further bolstered by casino dollars. Commissioner Joe Miller said the county plans to tap the contingency fund for several capital improvement projects. The projects include repairs at the Clinton Street office building, the sheriff’s office, and parking lots. The budget is employee-friendly, granting a three percent raise over last year’s one percent. Last year, employees received a one percent raise. An eight percent increase in insurance costs will not be passed on to employees, but will be covered by the general fund. The contingencies fund can further be used for unexpected expenses and other line items in the general fund. In 2013, the county gave $80,000 from contingencies to help out the Holmes County Health District, whose revenues have been declining in the wake of cuts at the state and federal level. The county may give the health district the same amount again this year, Miller said. Financially, the county appears to be finally coming out of the slump in the wake of the great recession. In 2009, the budget carryover was $325,000, Ault said. The budget carry-over now stands at $2.8 million. Incoming revenues are expected to be high this year as well. When crafting the budget, commissioners get an estimate of revenues from the Holmes County Auditor. The estimate reflects how much money is expected to come in for the year. Estimated revenues for 2014, as projected by the auditor’s office, are $11,597,313.29, $399,519.97 more than appropriated in the general fund budget. Miller credited county office holders for being fiscally responsible, with most staying within their budgets in 2013. “Ninety, ninety five percent turned money back in, and we returned it to them,” Miller said. “We didn’t keep it.” The 2013 budget had $10,419,784.50 appropriated for expenses. at the end of the year, $93,475.32 remained unspent. The three percent pay increase does not affect the commissioners, whose salaries are set by statute.


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