County commission sets 2010 budget
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
With final modifications to the 2010 proposed budget, the Highland County Board of Commissioners anticipate significantly lower revenues – of approximately $8.3 million – for the new year.
Commissioners again praised department managers for their understanding and cooperation in planning the budget.
“The way it looks right now, we won’t have to borrow any money. That’s a big plus right now,” Commissioner Gary Heaton said at Wednesday’s commission meeting.
“Thanks to the department heads’ cooperation, we’ve been able to avoid borrowing,” Commissioner Tom Horst added.
• In other business, commissioners signed a letter Wednesday for inclusion in the service area of Foreign-Trade Zone 138 with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
According to a letter from county commissioners to Kathy Mills, business development manager for the FTZ, this means that “the Columbus Regional Airport Authority will be able to apply to the FTZ Board for authority to serve sites located within this county based on businesses’ trade-related needs. We also note that the zone will be made available on a uniform basis to companies within the county...”
The commissioners said Highland County could be served by a number of other Ohio FTZs, but they determined that it is most appropriate to seek inclusion in the service area of FTZ 138.
• Commissioners also approved a resolution by a 3-0 vote to establish a new probation department fund to be known as the Pre-Trial Supervision Program.
According to Heaton, this will help the probation department oversee more felony cases than misdemeanors, with some budget savings.
Commissioners met with chief probation officer Jeremy Ratcliff of the Highland County Probation Department on the resolution.
Heaton said Ratcliff was looking at hiring a part-time probation officer with the available grant money.
Commissioners will meet on Jan. 8 with Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber and state agency representatives.[[In-content Ad]]
Commissioners again praised department managers for their understanding and cooperation in planning the budget.
“The way it looks right now, we won’t have to borrow any money. That’s a big plus right now,” Commissioner Gary Heaton said at Wednesday’s commission meeting.
“Thanks to the department heads’ cooperation, we’ve been able to avoid borrowing,” Commissioner Tom Horst added.
• In other business, commissioners signed a letter Wednesday for inclusion in the service area of Foreign-Trade Zone 138 with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
According to a letter from county commissioners to Kathy Mills, business development manager for the FTZ, this means that “the Columbus Regional Airport Authority will be able to apply to the FTZ Board for authority to serve sites located within this county based on businesses’ trade-related needs. We also note that the zone will be made available on a uniform basis to companies within the county...”
The commissioners said Highland County could be served by a number of other Ohio FTZs, but they determined that it is most appropriate to seek inclusion in the service area of FTZ 138.
• Commissioners also approved a resolution by a 3-0 vote to establish a new probation department fund to be known as the Pre-Trial Supervision Program.
According to Heaton, this will help the probation department oversee more felony cases than misdemeanors, with some budget savings.
Commissioners met with chief probation officer Jeremy Ratcliff of the Highland County Probation Department on the resolution.
Heaton said Ratcliff was looking at hiring a part-time probation officer with the available grant money.
Commissioners will meet on Jan. 8 with Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber and state agency representatives.[[In-content Ad]]