LITTLE ROCK NINE: Jefferson Thomas, who was among nine black students initially barred by the Arkansas governor from attending Little Rock Central High School in 1957, spoke to Findlay students as part of Black History Month. The crisis was a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights.
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First off, I think this article has been taken WAY out of context. Cograts to the guys who have received their well deserved pro...
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hmm do you have any extra money to help us pay for a 4WD if so let me know so i can buy me one.
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If the sheriff issues a level 3 for Hancock County, does that include the city of Findlay?
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Even if you issue advisories law enforcement doesn't do a good enough job issuing citations its that simple your out on a level...
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I guess I am happy that the Fire Department is getting what they deserve, but I feel that there are a lot of other people in the...
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I cannot believe that the animal shelter "turns away" animals. Of course there are limits to how many animals can be saved, but...
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Actually if you add in the 5% raise they were supposed to get in 2009 but deferred it till 2010 and the 4% raise they got for 20...
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All people want to do is complain. You live in OHIO people. Get a 4WD and you won't be trapped in your driveway, street, etc....
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My family hasn't seen an increase in over 3 years. My spouse works hard and does everything that is asked of him. I do appreci...
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Is it really necessary to find fault with this article? These men have earned these promotions and in receiving them, have the...
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26 Comments (3 pages)
Latest comments listed first.Thanks for clarifying why $2.5(.25%)million per year was chosen. (based on a 35% match of the $100 million estimated project cost)
I find no reference to a $100 million dollar estimate for the project prior to Sept. 29th of this year. In fact, the Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership continues to state Findlay's portion of the flood solution could be in excess of $50 million....I dont see any figures near $100 million anywhere on their information. That doesn't mean it wasn't discussed somewhere, I just don't find any reference to it prior to Sept. 29th.
http://www.floodpartnership.org/media/Fast_Facts.pdf
I did find the Courier article about the $100 million dollar estimate from Sept. 29th...but they fail to mention that Mr. Berkeley actually stated it "could cost an estimated $107 million "plus or minus 50 percent,"...as the Blade reported from the same meeting. The Courier simply throws out a nice round $100 million dollar estimate for their article.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090929/NEWS16/909290363
So in the end, the estimates are $50+ million, $100 million, and $107 million (+ or - 50%, which equals a range of $53.5 million to as much as $160.5 million).......all while we cut services countywide now, and lay people off based on "projections" in both the 2010 tax collection figures, and what may actually be needed for the flood plan.
The Courier has had numerous articles written by at least 3 reporters over the past two years. there have been 6 public hearings, WFIN has held several Forums on the subject so I am just guessing you are either new to town or do not live here. The sales tax was created to fund the 35% match that is required of any Corps of Engineers project. The project had a ball park cost of even in 2007 of 100 million dollars. 2.5 million dollars times 10 which is the length of the tax equals 25 million dollars. It's that simple.
The Sheriff is in charge of his department if the paper was correct in quoting him he believes he can provide the necessary public safety with his recommended reduction in force. As far as whether or not those folks would still be available is speculation but again it would be the Sheriff's call not mine. The Ohio revised code stipulates the amount of sales or use taxes that can be utilized by a county we followed those statutes.
Why not .20% or .15% of the .5% tax , when you knew there was a shortfall for general operations? And now that you recognize the shortfall, why not ask for that court order, if thats what you need?
I understand it is now a dedicated amount to be used only for flodding, but why was it set at half of the .5%?
Seems a hundred year flood issue was used as a tactic to help pass the tax, but was there a study that said you need exactly $2.5 million (.25%) a year for this (flood mitigation)?
Also, what if those "highly skilled" employees aren't available for rehire? How much more (thousands of dollars?) will it cost to hire and train a new people as opposed to keeping currently trained employees?
Saying you hope to bring them back tells me you recognize they are needed now, but we just cant afford them. My question is, can we afford not to have them?
Everone posting here is a little bit right, but a lot of misunderstanding of the budget is apparent. While I agree that County financing is complicated it is still transparent but you have to know how state statute requires appropriations to be spent and what accounts are dedicated vs. flexible in how the monies can be appropriated.
First let me clarify why we are still projecting a shortfall even with the additional sales tax revenue for 2010. When the tax process began with public hearings early in 2008 interest rates were still at 4-5% sales tax revenues were flat and real estate was still selling. The requested 1/2% for operations and 1/4% capital seemed a reasonable request to fund flooding, county operations and for maintenance repair and replacement of county buildings. The sales tax was imposed during August of 2008 and began collecting on January 1 of 2009.
Since the beginning of 2009 the financial market's collapse along with the real estate debacal has reduced the revenue projections by almost 2 million. So even with the new 1/4% for county operations we are getting fewer dollars for 2010. This has resulted in further reductions for the budget. This was widely reported on that even with the tax increase the county would be seeing 10% cuts this is exactly the case. Most departments have accomplished this by reducing staff as with the Sheriff or by furlough days, reduced wages, higher benefit premiums to the employees. We do not forsee any quick turn around until we see a return of jobs and commerce to this county. The current sales tax is being collected and the 1/2% is split between the county and the flood project. The flood project is a dedicated account and once the money is in that account it can only be dedicated to flood control. The same goes for what has been collected for capital improvements. Once in that account short of a court order that money cannot be used for any other purpose, this is not something the commissioners designed it is part of the revised code.
While it is very unfortunate that some highly skilled people have to be laid off, it is everyone's hope that when the economy rebounds they could be rehired if they still are available.
So bottom line the flood money is for flood
Capital is dedicated to buildings
and operations are going to have to survive on the revenues we have. Recognize that if we did not have the capital account any repairs would still have to come from somewhere and hard decisions would have to be made then. We are electing to be as prudent as we can recognizing the year ahead will be a big challange.
Thanks Kyle for posting the number, I think my fingers will put those digits to good use!