|
COLUMBUS – Today, Franklin County Administrator Don L. Brown presented Commissioners with the 2008 Recommended Operating Budget for the county’s 34 agency budgets. Administrator Brown noted that Franklin County has been recognized for sound financial planning, good administration and effective response to community needs.
“Following the Commissioners directive to prudently restrain spending in 2007, the County’s General Fund expenditures will be $13 Million less than the approved budget,” said Administrator Brown. “With the county’s financial health restored, the Commissioners will roll-back one quarter of the County’s one percent sales tax rate on December 31, 2007.”
A General Fund Budget appropriation of $313.7 Million is recommended for 2008 and is nearly 5.8 percent less than the total requested by county agencies. Representatives from each county office will come before the Board of Commissioners in the next few weeks to talk about their spending needs for the upcoming year.
Increased over previous years, fifty-six percent of the County’s recommended 2008 general fund budget will be spent to prosecute crimes, deliver justice, detain inmates and provide public safety for the residents of Franklin County. The Recommended Budget contains approximately $4.7 Million in homeland security awards for distribution of grant monies which will be used to purchase critical training, materials, and equipment for police, fire, health, and other local government agencies within the County. Also included is continued support for a jail management system, the Cops in Shops program, DUI enforcement, DARE educational programs and the addition of a Child Pornography Prosecuting Attorney.
Driven by Commissioner Resolution #683-06, the county’s environmental policy, green program recommendations include a significant expansion to the Stormwater Management Control Program, a $1.137 Million earmark for the development of a comprehensive storm water management program, and continuation of the Water Quality Partnership program initiatives to bring 629 Franklin County homes with unsanitary conditions into compliance with clean water laws in 2008.
Also included is support for an environmental consultant in association with the historical Big Darby Accord agreement and continued funding for illicit discharge collection, testing and sampling and a continuing commitment to increasing the county’s flex-fuel vehicles and clean energy standards.
Over two million dollars will be considered for green-space creation to enhance and promote downtown development, including the Scioto Mile Park and the Grange Audubon nature preserve.
The 2008 Recommended Budget provides for construction of key community assets that will provide good jobs and a better quality of life for residents including a new animal shelter, common pleas courts building, tunnel and concourse improvements to enhance way finding, accessibility, and security within the Government Center and a diversion master plan to address the continued jail population growth.
Budget recommendations that provide for economic development include a $4.3 Million investment in the Rickenbacker Intermodal Facilities; a $1 Million investment in Experience Columbus; an appropriation of $1 Million to assist COSI in opening its doors to a wider population across the country; $790,000 of continued support for arts and cultural development; a $1 Million investment in the Lincoln Theater; and, $150,000 in operating support for the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority.
Continued investment in services for health care and disease prevention were also recommended, including $150,000 for Project LOVE immunizations; $2.15 Million for the Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control Program; and, $150,000 for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association (CODA).
Services for veterans include an increase in the Veterans Service Commission budget of $314,635 to support dental preventative programs, the rising cost of rent, mortgages, medical expenses, utilities and transportation for Franklin County veterans and will be considered along with services for seniors, children and continuing the County’s $6 Million commitment to homeless families through the Community Shelter Board and Rebuilding Lives Programs.
Also recommended in the budget is $1,500,000 for election expenses associated with the 2008 Presidential-year election and $100,000 for public service announcements to increase consumer awareness of mortgage foreclosure prevention and loan counseling assistance.
The General Fund recommended budget proposes a 2.4 percent increase over the 2007 approved budget. Excluding one-time general fund expenditures, the 2008 recommended budget for the General Revenue Fund demonstrates an increase of 1.1 percent over the original 2007 budget.
“The 2008 Recommended Budget represents a balanced results-oriented approach to budgeting. Franklin County’s focus remains on providing the residents of Franklin County with the most cost effective government possible while continuing to make necessary investments in human capital and physical infrastructure,” said Administrator Brown.
The 2008 Budget Hearing Schedule, agency results, efficiencies and total expenditures planned for the upcoming year are available on the Commissioners’ website at www.franklincountyohio.gov/commissioners/budget.
Click here to view the 2008 Budget Message [PDF]
|
