Delaware County budget to increase by 8%

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a 2022 county budget that will increase spending by almost 8%, fueled by a rebounding economy and strong collection of delinquent property taxes.

The $128.8 million budget is 7.98% greater than the $119.3 million in operating and capital expenditures that were budgeted for in 2021. The 2022 budget also matches the county's revenue projection.

Economic uncertainty due to the impact of the coronavirus virus pandemic has affected spending in other counties, but less so in Ohio's fastest growing county.

The county saw a 15.4% increase in sales tax revenue, jumping to $76.8 million this year from $66.5 million in 2020, said George Kaitsa, Delaware County auditor.

“We definitely saw a strong rebound,” Kaitsa said. “And we were very nervous about what it would do in 2021.”

“The goal of this budget – and frankly of each year's budget – is to plan for the county's growth and to do it in a fiscally responsible manner,” Commissioner Gary Merrell, president of this year's board of commissioners, said in a prepared statement.

Among the increases in the 2022 budget are an 8.7% increase in the cost of employee health insurance and a 4% increase in non-unionized employees' salaries.

These employees had accepted a 2% increase for 2021 when the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was not yet known. Ordinarily, these employees receive a 3% increase, according to county officials.

“COVID-19 has played a significant role in our planning and spending during the last 18 months,” Commissioner Barb Lewis said in a statement. “While we hope we are past the worst of it, we still must be prudent about what the future holds. I salute all of our offices and departments that recognize this.”

The budget has been “especially challenging due to rising inflation, staffing challenges and supply-chain concerns,” Commissioner Jeff Benton said in a statement. “I think this budget addresses those issues, ensuring that we'll continue to provide excellent services to our residents and businesses while still investing significantly in the county's growth needs, including roads, sewers, facilities and other infrastructure.”

Among the largest components of the new year's budget are for the Delaware County Sheriff ($30.5 million) and county engineer ($25 million).

The largest percentage increase was in the county treasurer's office, which will double its annual budget, growing from $439,000 to $880,000 next year. This is due to the addition of at least three new employees whose job is to better manage investment income and collections of unpaid property taxes, Treasurer Don Rankey said.

This year the office collected $22 million in delinquent taxes, he said, adding, “It's been 22 years since this office last added a new position.” dnarciso@dispatch.com @Deannarciso