Sukie Scheetz, Clermont County Office of Management and Budget director, gave a presentation about 2016 general fund appropriations to the county commissioners during their meeting on September 16.

Sukie Scheetz, Clermont County Office of Management and Budget director, gave a presentation about 2016 general fund appropriations to the county commissioners during their meeting on September 16.
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The Clermont County Commissioners received a preliminary presentation on 2016 general fund appropriations during their September 16 informal session.

The presentation, given by Sukie Scheetz, Clermont County Office of Management and Budget director, kicked off the budget season. General fund appropriations for 2016 are expected to be finalized before Thanksgiving.

The annual estimate of operating revenue for 2016, which includes sales tax, property taxes and casino revenue, is $53,536,669.

The revised annual estimate of operating revenue for 2015 is $53,088,342, and the actual operating revenue for 2014 was $50,490,681.

“We’re doing really well on sales tax,” Scheetz said.

Scheetz estimated the 2016 sales tax growth at 4 percent. She also estimated reductions in revenue from county services, such as sheriff and recorder fees.

“I think all your estimates are very conservative, but I’m happy with conservative,” said Commissioner Ed Humphrey.

Scheez estimated a 0.5 percent growth in property tax for 2016, and a 1.8 percent reduction in casino receipts.

The 2016 estimate of local government funds provided by the state reflects an increase of $25,000.

“The state’s had a relatively good year,” Scheez said.

Scheez estimated fines and forfeitures to hold flat at $1 million.

Other intergovernmental revenues, such as assigned counsel and public defender reimbursements, are also expected to hold flat.

While the estimated 2016 operating revenues are expected to increase by $448,327 over 2015, the commissioners are encouraged to use the estimated 2015 operating revenues figure as their 2016 operating expenses target, according to Scheetz.

“Any excess goes into the fund balance,” Scheetz explained.

In April, county departments were asked to submit a preliminary budget.

“Actual expense needs will be determined through meetings with departments and elected officials,” Scheetz said. “For some of the larger increases, we’ll need to sit down with the departments to see if the figures are real.”

Potential 2016 expense needs include a $491,000 increase from the Clermont County Board of Elections to cover costs from a presidential election year and salary increases, a $333,600 increase to accommodate staffing changes throughout the county, and up to $119,000 for healthcare coverage for part-time employees who consistently work 30 hours or more a week.

Beginning January 1, 2015, under the employer shared responsibilities of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, all employees working an average of 30 hours per week or more in a month for an applicable large employer must be eligible for affordable coverage or the employer may be subject to a penalty.

Commissioner Bob Proud was not pleased that the county is responsible for offering insurance to a larger group of employees.

“That sucks,” Proud said.

Total potential expense changes range from $1,736,020 to $1,855,020 more.

Based on the 2015 operating expense target of $53,088,342 and the current operating appropriation of $50,886,216, Scheetz estimated that an additional $2,202,126 could be added to the current appropriation level.

A 1 percent salary increase for non-bargaining employees is estimated at $212,000.

Scheetz noted that the county has not yet compensated employees for the years the county did not provide wage increases.

“I don’t think we should do more than keeping up with inflation,” said Commissioner David Uible.

Proud also shared his opinion on salary increases.

“We’re not going to catch up. We just need to keep up,” he said.