County considering sales tax increase
Commissioners may put issue before voters in November
Scott Miller
MEDINA – County commissioners appear committed to asking voters to approve a 0.25 percent increase in the county sales tax when they go to the polls in November.
Commissioners have scheduled two public hearings on a proposed sales tax increase. The first one will be at 9 a.m. May 30 prior to their regular weekly meeting at the Medina County Administration Building. The second is scheduled in the commissioners’ meeting room at 7 p.m. June 6.
County officials had considered a sale tax increase last year, but refrained from putting the issue before voters.
A new analysis of revenue and expenses suggests some financial problems for Medina County government operations are lurking in the future if the fiscal situation does not change.
County Administrator Scott Miller prepared a basic summary of revenue and expenses for county commissioners, which compared budgets from previous years and projected future budgets if basic operations are unchanged.
“We have enough money to continue operations as is, but not enough to do all the things we should be doing,” Miller said.
Among the things that need doing are significant capital improvements which are not included in Miller’s projected expenses.
Revenue for the county’s general fund to operate most county services is projected to be $39.1 million this year, about 1.8 percent more than 2016. Expenses are projected to be $39.5 million, about 5 percent more than last year.
The $400,000 deficit in this year’s operating budget will be covered by a $4.5 million carryover from last year. Miller projects that balance will continue declining over the next two years.
Maintenance Supervisor Tom Maupin said the county has not been keeping up with all the maintenance needs at the 16 buildings owned by the county.
“We spent $1 million on capital improvements last year, but we’re not gaining any ground,” Maupin said. “We could spend $1 million a year and not catch up with all our maintenance needs.”
The $1 million spent on building repairs last year was borrowed money that did not come out of general operating revenue. Commissioners issued bonds to pay for desperately needed repairs to the roof at the County Jail and other serious maintenance needs.
Miller said his budget summary also excluded some other major expenses facing county officials. Among them are about $1.5 million worth of renovations requested by the Adult Probation Department and additional office space needed by other county departments.
Miller said there is also the possibility that the county will be facing a significant increase in insurance rates in coming years and a possible state mandate to purchase new voting machines, another expense that could exceed $1 million.
“We need to reduce expenses or increase our revenue,” said County Commissioner Bill Hutson.
However, cutting expenses could be difficult considering the county made significant cuts in 2008 and kept spending increases relatively low since then.
In addition, county social services are being strained and agency directors have been asked county commissioners to increase funding for operations at Job and Family Services, The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board and the Office for Older Adults. However, voters rejected a 0.8-mill levy to fund those agencies two years ago.
County officials estimate a 0.25 sales tax increase would generate about $6 million a year.
Commissioners have scheduled two public hearings on a proposed sales tax increase. The first one will be at 9 a.m. May 30 prior to their regular weekly meeting at the Medina County Administration Building. The second is scheduled in the commissioners’ meeting room at 7 p.m. June 6.
County officials had considered a sale tax increase last year, but refrained from putting the issue before voters.
A new analysis of revenue and expenses suggests some financial problems for Medina County government operations are lurking in the future if the fiscal situation does not change.
County Administrator Scott Miller prepared a basic summary of revenue and expenses for county commissioners, which compared budgets from previous years and projected future budgets if basic operations are unchanged.
“We have enough money to continue operations as is, but not enough to do all the things we should be doing,” Miller said.
Among the things that need doing are significant capital improvements which are not included in Miller’s projected expenses.
Revenue for the county’s general fund to operate most county services is projected to be $39.1 million this year, about 1.8 percent more than 2016. Expenses are projected to be $39.5 million, about 5 percent more than last year.
The $400,000 deficit in this year’s operating budget will be covered by a $4.5 million carryover from last year. Miller projects that balance will continue declining over the next two years.
Maintenance Supervisor Tom Maupin said the county has not been keeping up with all the maintenance needs at the 16 buildings owned by the county.
“We spent $1 million on capital improvements last year, but we’re not gaining any ground,” Maupin said. “We could spend $1 million a year and not catch up with all our maintenance needs.”
The $1 million spent on building repairs last year was borrowed money that did not come out of general operating revenue. Commissioners issued bonds to pay for desperately needed repairs to the roof at the County Jail and other serious maintenance needs.
Miller said his budget summary also excluded some other major expenses facing county officials. Among them are about $1.5 million worth of renovations requested by the Adult Probation Department and additional office space needed by other county departments.
Miller said there is also the possibility that the county will be facing a significant increase in insurance rates in coming years and a possible state mandate to purchase new voting machines, another expense that could exceed $1 million.
“We need to reduce expenses or increase our revenue,” said County Commissioner Bill Hutson.
However, cutting expenses could be difficult considering the county made significant cuts in 2008 and kept spending increases relatively low since then.
In addition, county social services are being strained and agency directors have been asked county commissioners to increase funding for operations at Job and Family Services, The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board and the Office for Older Adults. However, voters rejected a 0.8-mill levy to fund those agencies two years ago.
County officials estimate a 0.25 sales tax increase would generate about $6 million a year.