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Take this month's Citizen Survey!!!
Do you have an opinion about the upcoming presidential race? Participate in the Pepper's Primary Caucus!Take this month's citizen survey which focuses on the 2008 election!
Click Here to take the survey!
Thanks to you the first monthly citizen survey was a huge success. 178 people responded. Here's what you had to say: |
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Survey Results - Your Top Priority for the County
When asked what the County should focus on, here's what you said
"I would like to see the County pay more attention to "first ring" neighborhoods"
"Supporting 911 Communication Center, EMA, public safety and other safety services"
"Building/increasing the sense of true community in the county across the many municipalities, ethnic, racial, and economic groups in the area"
"Strongly encourage that the Banks, and other similar architectural projects, be world-class, and therefore tourist attractions. We have DAAP/UC which could help in many ways, what an amazing resource that is rarely tapped!!!" |
The 2008 Budget: Cleaning Up a Financial Mess
Happy New Year!
December was a busy month at the County, as we tackled a very difficult budget situation without sacrificing core services. Flat revenue, a handful of lawsuits for deeply troubling behavior within the prior County Coroner's office, combined with some fiscally reckless spending decisions made in 2004-2006 by the prior County majority, put us in a bind. We have very little flexibility in our general fund, and prior spending and binding commitments have drained our reserve fund to a precariously low level.
The good news is that we came together around a unanimous budget that trimmed a projected $30 million deficit for 2008 to $0. While we funded our priorities of public safety and economic development, we also undertook necessary if difficult cuts: cutting off spending on big-ticket commitments made by previous Commissions that we simply can not afford, consolidating several departments, freezing wages (including our own) and eliminating positions, and undertaking reforms such as bidding out certain functions (printing services), and institutionalizing spending caps and other changes to get spending under control long-term. We also have adopted an iron-clad reserve growth policy that will responsibly replenish our reserves over time.
I would like to thank the citizens for their invaluable input in the Budget process. By attending public hearings, contacting my office, and filling out my online budget survey, residents gave us a clearer vision on what they thought the County's priorities should be, and I believe our final budget reflects that vision.
David |
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A Summary of the 2008 Budget | |
Public Safety
Despite
the deep cuts, the Commissioners were able to honor their commitment to public
safety. Among other steps:
- They rejected
recommendations that might have reduced Sheriff road patrols in county
townships
- They supported the
increased prosecution of the County's most violent offenders through Project Disarm, which guarantees
tough, federal sentences for those violating gun laws; as well as
Countywide SWAT and Search and Rescue efforts
- They supported
additional funding for Coroner O'Dell Owens' work to solve crimes
- They supported
continuing the work of the Criminal Justice Commission, and the reforms it
is undertaking to relieve jail overcrowding, improve safety, and reduce
recidivism
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Economic Development
Commissioners
also focused on the economic growth
of the county by restoring investments in the Hamilton County Development Corporation (HCDC), as well as the Regional Planning Commission's effort
to help communities across Hamilton
County grow. Both of these agencies are doing invaluable
work to grow our local economy, one community at a time. The Budget also continued to invest in the Homeowner Preservation Initiative,
which last year saved more than 400 homes from foreclosure through counseling
and workout relief.
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Government Efficiency and Reform
While
rejecting the recommendation to raise taxes, the Commission continued to invest
in efforts to consolidate services
among multiple levels of government throughout the County, in order to improve
services and reduce the long-term tax burden on citizens. At David's recommendation, the Commission
also adopted tough spending caps on the
purchase of goods and services.
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Voluntary Salary Givebacks
Although
the Ohio Revised Code mandates that all elected officials receive a salary
increase each year, under the current budget situation, the Commissioners felt
it unfair that they would receive salary increases at such a tough budget rime. Therefore, the Commissioners voluntarily agreed to give back their
raises and have that money donated to the County's general fund and called
on all other elected officials to do the same.
So far, the Sheriff, Recorder and Clerk of Courts have all voluntarily foregone their raises as
well.
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$30 Million Deficit Eliminated
Unfortunately,
during a tough budget process, certain programs and services do have to be cut
or suspended. Steps we took included
eliminating numerous positions, consolidating several departments, and other
tough measures. Overall, though, we got
the job done. A balanced budget. A path to replenished reserves. And we held the line on taxes.
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While
none of this was easy, it was necessary and long overdue belt-tightening. It will position us, and future commissions,
to be on a far more secure footing to lead high quality and cost-effective
County government the citizens can have more faith in. And a number of the reform efforts begun in
2007 will bear even more fruit in future years.
Most important is the effort we began in 2007 to explore how the County,
City of Cincinnati
and other communities can undertake far more "shared services," improving the
quality of government while lowering its overall cost.
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Quick Links
To visit the County website and learn more about the County Commissioners and County business
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