The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Commissioners pass $68 million budget
Commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of slimmed down fiscal plan
The Lorain County commissioners voted 2-1in favor of a slimmed down $68,794,355 general fund budget.
Lorain County commissioners passed their 2021 operating budget March 17.
The commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of a slimmed down $68,794,355 general fund budget.
Commissioner Matt Lundy thanked Lorain County department heads for their participation in making responsible budget requests.
Lundy noted the $25 million carryover from the previous fiscal year and said the county was in a strong financial position.
“Just for the record, I guess when I say that I was not happy that there’s an approach of fire in the auditorium, and they really have to be making budget cuts,” he said. “I think we’ve been in a strong financial position.
“The auditorium wasn’t on fire. I never want a situation where our sheriff or deputies or any of our county workers go home at night worried about cuts when we know that it’s not going to happen.
“I think it’s disrespectful to them and their families and all the county employees. So, I would just say that in the future, that I hope we will replace fear with facts. And let’s move forward. Let’s, hopefully, report at the end of this year a new record carryover.”
Commissioner David J. Moore voted against the budget and said he would conduct an analysis over the next year to avoid going into a deficit in 2022.
Moore said in examining the 2015 budget numbers, he wants a more thorough understanding of why the county budget increased from that year approximately $53 million to more than $70 million.
He said he is not happy and feels the county is in a deficit spending situation.
“I think we’re at $76 (million), now we got down to $68 million, which is a very good, good fight, that everybody had on their budget,” Moore said. “But, I’m just not comfortable with … I know we’re fine.
“This year, I know we’re fine next year. My concern is when there’s no more sugar daddy in DC throwing money at us. That is my concern.
“I want to make sure we’re living within our means. I think the taxpayers are now, they owe that. All three of us are going to have three different opinions on how to attack this budget.
“I’m sorry, but I might be a little bit more aggressive, so I’m going to be analyzing the 2022 budgets. I’ll be attacking the net revenue if we can go that way, we’ll see.”
Board president Michelle Hung voted for the budget, but said she would proceed with caution over the next two years and is certain to review the financial reports while cautiously optimistic.
“I do agree with Commissioner Moore, that in two years, you know, we need to we need to watch our spending, because in two years, we are in a deficit spending situation,” Hung said. “This year, so that means we will be spending more than we are actually taking in, you know, sales tax.
“Again, we’ve got the possibility of the relief dollars coming in, we’re being told, it’s going to come into separate portions, so we don’t know what the first chunk of money is going to be. We don’t have any of that information yet.
“So, I will be voting yes, but proceeding with caution, and in the next two years.”
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act signed into law earlier this month by President Joe Biden set aside $60 million for Lorain County, with funding expected to arrive two separate payments.
But, it is a number that county officials expect to go down as the funding formula is applied.
Lorain County Administrator Tom Williams added the Senate version of the bill removed townships from receiving funding, an issue he hopes will be corrected.
“From this, there’s about 18 states that are impacted,” Williams said. “So, they’re looking at going through and making adjustments.
“So, the $60 million is an estimate right now, and when we go through and do the formula, it’s going to come down. And I just want to make sure that people are aware they are going through and redoing the calculations for those states.
“Not sure how dramatic it’s going to impact it, but again, the townships weren’t included, and we’re hoping that that’s going to get changed and they’ll get some revenue as well.”