Fayette County
Posted November 01, 2012 in Press Releases
State overviewDownload PDFImpact of Ohio’s 2012-13 state budget (HB 153)
Ohio’s budget for 2012 and 2013 cut local government aid by a billion dollars. This means cuts in services we depend on, from road repair and emergency services to crossing guards, seniors’ transportation and child protective services. What are the implications for Fayette County?
The state cut the Local Government Fund to the county, forcing Fayette County to make cuts to jurisdictions within the county. The state also cut direct funding to municipalities, and slashed reimbursements for taxes it had eliminated, taxes that businesses and utilities had paid to local governments. School districts and the public library fund were also cut. Losses in calendar years 2012 and 2013, compared to 2010 and 2011, include, among others:
- Public Library Fund............... -$53.0 thousand
- Schools................................ -$3.1 million
- County operations.................. -$909.0 thousand (includes LGF for townships)
- Jefferson Township............... -$49.0 thousand
- Union Township................... -$50.0 thousand
- Washington Courthouse........ -$598.0 thousand
Loss to health and human service levies
- County health services.............................................. -$98.0 thousand
- County mental health/Developmental disabilities............. -$208.0 thousand
Notes and quotes
To adjust to the new budget, the school district is eliminating its contribution to life insurance, long-term disability policies and other benefit supplements. Such measures shift the “burden for a balanced budget on lower-paid employees who are least able to afford those reductions,” said Bob Todd of the Board of Education. From Nelms, Ben, “Fayette BoE splits 3-2 on budget.” The Citizen. June 6, 2012. http://tinyurl.com/cf4xj6t.
Fayette County Superintendent, Jeff Bearden, predicted that to make up for the $13.2 million shortfall in budget, the school district will have to reduce the number of staff as well as possibly close up to 5 schools and outsource custodial and transportation services. From Nelms, Ben. “Fayette BoE splits 3-2 on budget.” The Citizen. June 6, 2012. http://tinyurl.com/cf4xj6t.
“Our budget is 91 percent people. There’s no question that we’ll have to look at staffing across the board and tuitioning students (from other school systems)”