By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Clermont County Commissioners held the annual tax budget hearing June 18 as they prepare to approve the 2015 tax budget.

Sukie Scheetz, director of the Clermont County Office of Management and Budget, reviewed the proposed tax budget with commissioners during the hearing.

Scheetz presented the projected revenues and expenditures for different funds in the county, including the general fund.

“This is the first time we’ve taken a look at 2015 revenue,” Scheetz said about the general fund. “From this year to last year you’re not going to see a big change to revenue sources.”

Scheetz said they are expecting a decrease in local government funds this year. She said property taxes should come in higher than projected because re-evaluations have not yet been complete.

Scheetz said they are also not sure exactly how much casino money will come in.

She said they have estimated revenue to be approximately $52.7 million for 2015.

“We will continue to revise this,” Scheetz said about 2015 revenues.

For general fund expenditures, Scheetz said personnel costs are the largest expenditure.

“We have departments that have requested new positions and salary increases and some that have not,” Scheetz said about the 2015 budget.

Scheetz said by department, criminal justice has the highest expenses followed by judicial services and general government expenses.

She said they have estimated expenses to be approximately $53.2 million for the general fund for 2015.

For all funds, which include the general fund as well as discretionary capital, internal service funds, outside agencies, special revenue, and other funds, Scheetz said the estimated revenue is approximately $213 million.

Scheetz said the estimated expenditures for all budgeted funds is approximately $226.7 million across all funds.

She said they are looking at a 2015 fund balance of approximately $66 million, which compares to an estimated 2014 fund balance of $79 million.

Scheetz said they will continue to work to balance the budget for 2015.

“The code requires every year that departments submit a request for expenditures and estimated revenues,” Scheetz said before the tax budget hearing.

She said approving the tax budget establishes the need for the funds but does not authorize departments to spend those funds.

“It determines what their financial situation is going to be going into next tax year,” Scheetz said about the departments. “We don’t try to balance anything it’s just a first look at where we are.”

Scheetz said appropriating the funds and authorizing the departments to spend money happens later in the year.

Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud said the appropriations have to be balanced by law.

“We will have a balanced budget,” Commissioner Ed Humphrey said.

Scheetz said she would like to have the tax budget approved before the end of June.

“We are required to adopt it before July 15,” Scheetz said about the tax budget. “I’ll be back next week to have this adopted.”

For more information about the tax budget, visit http://bcc.clermontcountyohio.gov/budgetprocess.aspx.