Increased sales tax and higher interest rates has left Athens County with a substantially larger budget this year.
Additionally, greater revenue from various taxes, licensing fees and other money the county receives contributed to an increase in available funds, Auditor Jill Thompson said.
It has boosted the 2006 budget to more than $11.5 million, an increase of about $436,000.
It has been a good budget process this year
said Treasurer JaVon Kittle Cooper.
The budget has been slowly increasing. Two years ago, in 2004, the commissioners appropriated $11,178,127.01, according to the General Fund Expense Report. This meant a $28,000 difference between 2004 and 2005.
This money goes into the county general fund, which is at the disposal of the commissioners, auditor, treasurer, prosecuting attorney, court of appeals, court of common pleas, board of elections, sheriff and emergency management, among other departments. As well as covering their projects and payrolls, it is used for capital improvements and building and grounds expenses.
Near the end of the year, the budget commission meets to see how much money the county is expected to make in the next year.
This commission, set up by the state of Ohio, consists of the Athens County auditor, treasurer and prosecuting attorney. The commission also oversees the budget for different villages, townships and school districts in Athens County, Kittle Cooper said.
Once the budget commission has determined how much money to expect for the year, it certifies that amount so the county's commissioners can appropriate next year's budget, Thompson said.
The commission gives a temporary certification in December so the county commissioners can make a temporary appropriation before the end of the year, Thompson said. This is because the budget commission won't be sure how much will be available until January, she said.
The county commissioners hold budget hearings to divide money between the 17 departments. After hearing requests, the commissioners decide what will fit in the budget, said Mark Sullivan, an Athens County commissioner.
Last year, the commissioners budgeted $2.6 million for capital improvement. Other top appropriations went to the sheriff's department, prosecuting attorney and insurance pensions, according to the 2005 General Fund Expense Report. 17
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