Anticipated revenue could bring Lawrence under budget

Apparently what a difference a belt-tightening year has made. Last December the Lawrence County Commissioners were telling officeholders that there would be a close to 10 percent cut in all salaries line items. Also many offices were told they would not be getting any money for supplies.

However, after Thursday’s commission meeting, Commissioner Jason Stephens said that efforts to keep the county out of the red seems to have turned rosy.

“The budget has markedly improved,” Stephens said. “The officeholders have understood the situation we were in. We have all weathered a pretty good storm. We have been able to make some tough decisions and hold fast in Lawrence County.”

Right now, Chris Kline, the deputy auditor, reports that about 73 percent of the 2010 appropriation has been spent.

“Right now all the trends are we are staying even or going up,” Kline said referring to revenue. “I don’t see it going down.”

County revenue comes from four sources: one percent of the 1 1/2 percent sales tax, interest income from investments, property tax and the local government fund. Total anticipated revenue for 2010 is coming in at $12,601,177, Kline said.

With a more than $900,000 carryover, that should bring the county about $400,000 under budget.

However, the commissioner said he was concerned about another reduction in the local government fund, the state’s contribution to local entities.

“When the state comes back to have to fill the $8 billion hole (in its budget), and what will happen to the local government fund?” Stephens asked.

This year that revenue source is expected to bring in $975,000 to Lawrence County.

Another variable in determining 2011 revenue may come from the property re-appraisals currently conducted by the auditor’s office and required every six years.

Yet because of the improvement in the economic health of the county, Stephens said he would like to see a line item in the 2011 budget for the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Shelter. That statement followed the commissioners authorizing a $500 donation to the shelter.

In other business the commissioners:

• Received correspondence from Time Warner Cable that the ESPN Classic channel has been moved from digital tier to sports tier;

• Received a 2 percent rebate of $12,928 from the Bureau of Workers Compensation for the county’s participation in the Workers Comp Safety Council.

• Received the weekly dog warden report where 39 dogs were destroyed, 3 sold, and 3 redeemed. Currently 47 are in custody.

• Received correspondence from the Ohio Department of Transportation stating that the process is under way to rename a portion of State Route 373 for Lt. Scott Evans.