Most branches of government are facing tough tasks putting together their budgets, and Lake County commissioners are no exception.

Due to decreased revenues, some elected county officials and department heads have had to utilize staff furloughs, announce layoffs, leave vacant positions unfilled and consider shortening office hours.

Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap recently laid off two deputies. The Elections Board will implement furlough days, and potentially consider other cost-cutting options, because there is a $130,000 difference between what the department requests and what commissioners propose.

The reasons for the declining revenues?

Interest earnings in 2008 provided the county with $6.9 million. But rates remain at historically low levels, meaning revenue dipped to $4 million in 2009 and shrunk to $2.18 million for 2010 as higher returning investments came off the book. This revenue is projected to provide $1.25 million this year.

Collections from annual property taxes have dropped because property valuations that determine how much one’s home and land are worth declined two years ago by 10 percent in the county — and aren’t likely to rise when the triennial update is completed next year.

Sales tax revenues are the county’s biggest source of revenue, and collections have remained flat. Sales taxes generated  $14,524,182 in 2009, $14,519,064 in 2010, and is projected to be around $14.1 million this year.

The only controllable option commissioners have to increase revenue is to raise the county’s sales tax. The idea is unpopular and not one commissioners are seriously considering.

Should the commissioners ever change their mind, there’s a process they would have to follow to do so.

How it would work

Ohio law permits county commissioners to levy additional sales tax by increments of a quarter of 1 percent by adopting a resolution that generally must state the tax’s purpose and how long it would be in effect.

Two public hearings would need to be conducted before passing the resolution. The second hearing must be held not less than three days, nor more than 10 days, after the first.

In the resolution, commissioners may — but are not required to — direct the Elections Board to ask voters whether to approve the increase.

If the resolution is passed as a non-emergency measure, commissioners must pass it by at least a 2-1 vote and the question may be submitted to the Elections Board 90 days before the election.

If the resolution is adopted as an emergency measure deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, it must receive a unanimous vote and it needs to state the reasons for such necessity.

Voters can use a referendum to prevent a non-emergency tax from going into effect 30 days after the resolution is passed. An emergency tax is not subject to a referendum, but voters can decide to repeal it by petition.

The petition would need to be filed at least 75 days before the general election in any year and must be signed by at least 10 percent of the voters who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election.

If a tax were to be repealed by voters, it would be effective after the current year.

Announcements, endorsements

Highland Heights Mayor Scott Coleman announced he will seek a third term in office this November.
 

Coleman cites support and endorsements from U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, state Sen. Tim Grendell, Mayfield Heights Mayor Greg Costabile, Mayfield Village Mayor Bruce Rinker, Gates Mills Mayor Connie White, Lyndhurst Mayor Joe Cicero, Richmond Heights Mayor Dan Ursu, Willoughby Hills Mayor Robert Weger and South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo.

Fundies

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy: Mardi Gras Party, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar.
 

Jamie Callender, candidate for Ohio Senate: Mardi Gras party, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Quail Hollow Inn in Concord Township. See Jamie or Heidi Callender.

Lake Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish: St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites LaMalfa in Mentor. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

Willoughby Hills Councilman David M. Fiebig: Spring Fever party, 5 to 7 p.m., March 22 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig.

John Arthur Hutchison’s column appears Sundays in The News-Herald. View it online at www.northernohiolocalpolitics.blogspot.com.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Senate Bill 5 is shaping up to be one of the most spirited pieces of legislation in recent state history.

The measure, sponsored by state Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro, aims to prohibit state employees from collective bargaining.

It also would abolish salary schedules for public employees and instead require merit pay, among other changes, to the Collective Bargaining Law.

The bill comes at a time when state officials are trying to find ways to eliminate an estimated $8 billion or more budget shortfall.

Gov. John Kasich has expressed his support for the bill in concept, but he has also signaled that he might bring forward his own plan that could go even further by banning public employee strikes.

Reports from Columbus, including those from national media outlets, showed thousands of union employees, teachers, police and firefighters and others descended onto the state capital to let their presence be felt and voices be heard during opposition testimony for the bill at an Ohio Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee hearing. Among them was Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO.

“Workers and trade unions understand the state of our economy and the challenges confronting our public budgets at all levels,” Burga testified. “State and local employee unions are regularly working with government administrators and elected officials to find ways to be flexible and reduce costs to balance budgets while delivering needed services.

“As a result, pay freezes, cost pick-ups, benefit reductions and unpaid leave have been implemented at the state and local levels. Public employee unions have assured this Committee that they will continue to work collaboratively with government officials as we work together to find solutions to create private sector jobs that sustain our public budgets.”

As reported last week, state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, said he does not support the bill in its current form and believes the bill in general goes too far.

“When talking about labor situations, you need to have a balance,” Grendell said. “If problems with the current system are too costly to taxpayers and too favorable to employers we need to address those issues.

“As written, Senate Bill 5 essentially tips the balance in a way that eliminates any protections for people who work as public employees.”

Grendell said later that discussions have begun to encourage more flexibility on the bill.

Announcements and filings
Peter V. Wayman announced he will seek a fourth term for Madison Township trustee. Wayman cites the township’s ability to provide basic services of police, fire and roads during a rough economy while maintaining a good fiscal budget.

Wayman has filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board. Stay tuned for future fundraiser details.

Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson has filed petitions to run for mayor against incumbent Mark Tyler.

Former Euclid Councilwoman Charlene Mancuso has announced she is running for Euclid mayor. Mancuso served on Euclid Council from 2003 to April 2008.

A registered nurse, Mancuso says she has a track record of building consensus among disparate parties in her work with state and local government agencies.


Fundies
Karen Kowall, candidate for Willoughby Municipal Court judge: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Pine Ridge Country Club, Wickliffe. See Marisa Cornachio or Dana Lutz.

Lake Commissioner Daniel P. Troy: Mardi Gras Party, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar.

Jamie Callender, candidate for Ohio Senate: Mardi Gras party from 6 to 8 p.m. March 8 at the Quail Hollow Inn in Concord Township. See Jamie or Heidi Callender.

Lake Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish: St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites LaMalfa in Mentor. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

Deadlines for information within this column are Thursdays at noon.

John Arthur Hutchison’s column appears Sundays in The News-Herald.
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah