The time is now to restore local government funds

Good news has been a frequent occurrence in Shelby County lately. We have major industry projects announced with SEMCORP and Honda, we have new housing developing in many county communities, and Sidney’s downtown has seen an expansion of many businesses. All of these examples are signs of positive growth.

However, challenges still face our county. Our workforce participation rate is only 23,176 persons (August 22), down from 28,000 persons in 2006, with many jobs going unfilled. Many people (especially women) are left out of the workforce as we do not have available childcare. Drug abuse and neglected children continue to be a challenge for our mental health providers and social service agencies. Yet, while we struggle to address these issues Shelby County provides many essential services to the residents with road and bridge infrastructure, with safety services including emergency dispatch, and with human services such as public assistance programs and mental health and addiction services. We all realize these services come at a cost.

Currently, Shelby County receives a large portion of its revenues from sales tax (est. $ 9.6 million), property tax

(est. $2.7 million), casino tax ($600,000) and Local Government Funds (est. $768,000), along with numerous other grants and fees.

In the State’s Fiscal Year of 2012-2013, Ohio counties saw huge cuts to local revenues as the State reduced the Local Government Fund (LGF) allocations to counties from 3.68 percent to 1.66 percent of state General Revenue Fund (GRF) receipts. This was done to balance an $8 billion deficit at the State level but meant a loss for Shelby County of $650,000 yearly. Over the last ten years, the State’s financial position has improved dramatically to where the State’s “Rainy Day Fund” currently holds $2.7 billion.

Unfortunately, the funding has never been restored to the county and local level.

The State’s cuts came on the heels of the recession after Shelby County Elected Officials had already made serious cuts to their budget. As I assumed office in 2012, I was not present when the tough choices were made that included removing all support to 14 non-mandated state agencies, employee voluntary pay reductions, cuts to employee health plans, and deferment of necessary infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

If we are to advance Shelby County competitively, we must be able to improve our broadband availability. We must have an educated workforce, and we must have infrastructure that allows for the efficient transportation of goods, services, and people. Having an increase in LGF monies would allow us to have funds towards these goals as well as fill in gaps currently seen with our Victim Services Agency, Juvenile Court and Child Protective Services.

Many people say that “the government closest to the people is the best government.” Let’s help achieve that by asking our state officials to allocate more of your tax dollars to your local government.