Immediate Release
November 23, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. “Clermont County is on solid financial ground,” said Clermont County Commissioner Scott Croswell. The Board of Clermont County Commissioners (BCC) today approved the 2010 general fund budget; the $47.2 million general fund operating budget approved for 2010 is down from $51.7 million in 2009. “No one should feel that government is in distress,” said Croswell. “This has been a difficult process, but because of the county’s continuing conservative approach, we have a budget that will protect the long-term stability of government and provide citizens with the services they need.”
“I would like to thank county elected officials and department heads for working closely with us over these past few months to develop a streamlined operating budget for next year,” said BCC President Ed Humphrey. “We understand this is a difficult time and we appreciate the cooperation we have received from county departments to ensure the budget is fair.” The biggest program reductions in the county for 2010 have been made in the general government ($1.7 million) and criminal justice ($1.7 million) areas.
The budget includes no pay increases for non-bargaining county employees; no furloughs are anticipated, for at least the first six months of the year. “By the middle of 2010, we will reassess the budget and determine whether furloughs will be needed,” said Humphrey. The Sheriff’s Office is expected to lay off five corrections officers at the jail; some deputies may have to be laid off, if upcoming contract negotiations result in any pay increases for 2010.
Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg agrees that this process has been long and stressful for all concerned, describing it as one of the most unpleasant and challenging experiences of his 13 year tenure. “Although the loss of five dedicated corrections officers is extremely unfortunate, I am thankful that, at least for now, the jobs of three deputies have been spared,” said Sheriff Rodenberg. “I sincerely hope that we can reach some reasonable agreement in upcoming contract negotiations, so that layoffs in our deputy ranks will not be necessary.”
The 2010 operating budget also includes reductions in funding to Ohio State University Extension-Clermont, from $216,893 in 2009 to $175,326 in 2010. “We have told OSU Extension-Clermont that our top priorities are for 4-H and agricultural programs,” said Humphrey. “I am hopeful that the economy will turn around quickly and these cuts can be restored in the near future,” said Commissioner Bob Proud. “We are trying to provide as many services as possible for our citizens and are striving to do that as cost effectively as possible.”
The BCC has agreed to spend $1.5 million of reserve funds to help balance the 2010 budget; an estimated $6.1 million in reserve funds will be utilized to balance the 2009 budget.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.