By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Clermont County Commissioners approved 2015 appropriations of $233 million during their Nov. 19 meeting, after discussing the budget during their Nov. 12 informal session.

Sukie Scheetz, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told commissioners during the informal session that this year looks better than previous years when it comes to revenue at the county.

“Now that we’re seeing an increase it’s nice to say yes to a couple of things,” Scheetz said.

Scheetz said during the informal session that they tried to put together a list of priorities from the board and also tried to meet requests of the different departments when working on 2015 appropriations.

She said the list of priorities from the board included balancing the budget, opening additional beds at the jail, covering a portion of the increased cost of health care, funding the Alternative Sentencing Center, and more.

“Those are some priorities,” Scheetz said.

Commissioner David Uible said during the informal session that he would like to see a small surplus rather than just a balanced budget for 2015. Commissioners Ed Humphrey and Bob Proud agreed.

Scheetz said they have planned for more than a balanced budget this year.

“This budget will maintain a healthy fund balance,” Scheetz said.

Scheetz said that the target fund balance for the general fund is 25 percent of operating expenses.

She said general fund revenue has increased from previous years because of sales tax increases, additional state funding, and casino money that held constant.

She said when it comes to expenses, they have planned for a couple of requests for 2015.

Humphrey said the county will be investing more in public safety in 2015.

Scheetz said during the informal session that they have planned for additional beds to be staffed at the jail at a cost of $265,000.

“We’ve allowed them to open at the end of March or early April,” Scheetz said.

She said they have appropriated funds for 48 clients at the Clermont Alternative Sentencing Center, which opened last year.

Uible said the CASC, which is an alternative to jail for non-violent misdemeanor offenders with addictive behavior, costs less than staying at the jail.

“It’s less than half, and they get treatment,” Uible said.

Scheetz said they have planned for about $151,000 for the sheriff’s office.

“That covers two additional deputies,” Scheetz said.

Scheetz said during the informal session that they have also accounted for about 5 percent in increased healthcare costs and have planned for around $691,000 in salary actions at the county.

Scheetz said by law, appropriated expenditures can’t exceed projected available revenue.

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