Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Revenue may drop by $1M

$800,000 Mercer County typically receives from state will likely disappear

By Shelley Grieshop
Revenue is estimated to be $1 million less this year for Mercer County, mostly due to a huge loss in state funds.
But the financial outlook isn't all "gloom and doom," county commissioner Bob Nuding told elected and appointed officials during a meeting at the county courthouse Tuesday.
"We're here to tell you this county is in much better shape than most counties around here," he said.
Nuding said the $800,000 the county typically receives from the state each fiscal year is likely to disappear. The state budget is expected to be completed by May, and local governments should know the impact soon after, he said.
Overall, the county projects revenue of $8.2 million in 2011, down from $9.2 million in 2010. The estimated 11 percent loss comes from the decrease in government funding, interest income, sales tax and fees.
The county brought a carry-over balance of nearly $1.6 million into 2011, but next year's total is expected to be much less - $407,683.
Nuding explained that sufficient carry-over cash is critical because during the first three months of the year, general fund expenses exceed revenue.
"We need that cash flow," he said, adding the county's credit rating also is based on the amount of carry-over funds each year.
The county has few options to generate additional revenue to cover the shortfall, Nuding said. Current sales tax is at the maximum - 1.5 percent - and fees for services already were reviewed for increases, he added.
The remaining option is a general operating levy, but officials don't believe it would be successfully passed by voters at this time.
"A levy is not a real good viable option for getting revenue today," Nuding said.
Commissioners are asking each department to be frugal, spend less, eliminate unnecessary traveling, hire no new employees and give no wage increases.
Employee salary and benefits make up 71 percent of the county's costs, Nuding explained.
"That's a big chunk, face it," he added.
Elected officials should ask their employees to take volunteer furloughs this year, he said. Last year, commissioners asked each employee to take a two-week, unpaid furlough. Some departments followed the suggestion, but others did not, commissioners said.
If local government funds are slashed, some departments may be asked to cut their hours of operation, Nuding said.
"Some counties have been doing this for several years," he said.
The state has suggested combining some elected officials' jobs as a way to chop expenses at the local level, Nuding said. An example would be fusing the auditor and treasurer's position, he explained.
If every department works together to remain frugal, the county will survive the ongoing economic crunch, Nuding said. He reminded the crowd that financial forecasts can be a guessing game because of the unknowns that lie ahead.
"It's sort of a crapshoot," he said.
Additional online stories on this date
A finance meeting Tuesday with top Mercer County officials ended in a debate about employee raises.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Sheriff Jeff [More]
ST. MARYS - Greg Phillips was well aware of the tradition of the St. Marys football program long before he applied for the head coaching position. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
St. MARYS - An Auglaize County bridge engineer says the High Street bridge in St. Marys does not need replaced, and a simple upgrade to the structure could spare the nearby historic Reservoir Mill some residents are trying to save.
Mercer County elections
A lack of valid signatures on his petition means former Celina city councilman Ron Hammons' name will not appear on the Democratic primary ballot in May.
NEW BREMEN - Village council members put their final stamp of approval on the proposed Kuest Ditch project Tuesday night by accepting a bid well below the engineering estimate.
ROCKFORD - Parkway is among most Ohio school districts anticipating less state funding.
Superintendent Greg Puthoff met with school staff recently to discuss ways to cut costs, which may include staff reductions.
Seventeen Auglaize County bridges are scheduled to be updated this year, including several in the Minster, New Bremen and New Knoxville area.
Count
A Celina woman was injured early this morning while trying to escape her burning home.
Betty Feliciano, 1460 James Drive, summoned the Celina Fire Department at 4:33 a.m. to report her home was filled with heavy smoke.
ST. MARYS - St. Marys City Schools board of education approved plans to improve Skip Baughman Stadium while the new athletic complex is built.
Impr
COLDWATER - Coldwater Exempted Village Schools Treasurer Sherry Shaffer told school board members Tuesday there has been talk at the state level of eliminating the "transitional aid guarantee" money.
FORT RECOVERY - District officials are planning a sea change in the way they provide technology to students and staff at the high school, according to superintendent Pat Niekamp and technology director John Jutte.
Developers: Celina low on available sites
CELINA - Even though Celina has several vacant buildings, development experts say there are still few options for potential buyers.
"In one way, we
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Marys hit big free throws down the stretch while keeping Ottawa-Glandorf scoreless for the final six minutes of the game to stay undefeated in Western Buckeye League girls basketball play with a 43-30 win on Tuesday night at Murotech Court.
COLDWATER - For Veronica Bruns, Bowling Green State University made sense athletically and academically.
The Coldwater multi-sports standout will concentrate on running after signing her national letter-of-intent with BGSU on Wednesday.
CONVOY - For the second time in a 24-hour time span, the Celina girls' basketball team was in need of a big play at the end of a game to pull out a win.