Proposed General Fund Budget Sets a Sustainable Course in Turbulent Times

The Hamilton County Administrator’s Recommended 2021 General Fund Budget was released Tuesday, November 10, during the Commissioners Staff Meeting (YouTube meeting). 
 
The recommended budget is structurally balanced at $290.7 million and sustainable over the 5-year forecast (absent any of the risks detailed in the document     materializing).

"I've been on the Commission now for four years and this is the most optimistic budget I've seen in my time," said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. 

The General Fund is the primary operating fund that addresses the core functions of the County such as operating the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, the Justice Center (jail), the Courthouse, the Coroner's Crime Lab, Economic Development and more.  The General Fund supports both mandated services from the State of Ohio and policy-driven functions. Each year the General Fund is required to be balanced and cannot carry a deficit. 

In developing this budget, the Administrator had five primary goals:
1. Stabilize the County’s finances in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
2. Address general fund elements of the Board’s policy agenda.
3. Strengthen our internal operations
4. Facilitate prudent infrastructure investments. 
5. Improve our human capital investments

Review the November 10, 2020 Budget Presentation Slide Show here.

The Board of County Commissioners of Hamilton County, Ohio will conduct public hearings to consider the Hamilton County Administrator's Recommended 2021 General Fund Budget. This hearing is scheduled to come before the Board on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 1:15 PM and Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 6:00 PM.

VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARINGS on the 2021 general fund budget

Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 at 1:15 PM & Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 at 6:00 PM.

Join the Commission Meeting via the Virtual Commissioner Meeting link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87003656596?pwd=L3NkM3d5UHhTR0ZobkdFVkluMVhyUT09
Password: 687150

Or iPhone one-tap:  US: +16465588656,,87003656596#,,,,0#,,687150# 
Or Telephone:  US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 870 0365 6596
Password: 687150

Posted on 11/11/2020