St. Joseph County staff outline proposed 2025 budget; public hearing held
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Summary
County staff presented the proposed 2025 St. Joseph County budget, citing $228,000,887 in projected revenues and roughly $240'$241 million in expenditures; public hearing was held and one resident sought clarification on probation/detention officer line items.
St. Joseph County officials presented the proposed 2025 county budget during the council meeting on Sept. 10, 2024, and held a public hearing. County staff said total revenues are estimated at $228,000,887 and total expenditures across all funds are near $240'$241 million, with property taxes and local income tax the largest revenue sources.
County budget staff said property taxes are the largest single revenue source, estimated at about $67,000,000 countywide, and that the general fund's property tax portion is estimated at $51,000,000. Local income tax receipts were estimated at $47,100,000, a reduction of about 9% from the prior certified amount, the presentation said. Staff noted an estimated growth quotient for property taxes of 4% for 2025.
The presenters outlined major expenditure categories and trends: public safety (police, jail, emergency management, coroner) and public works are the largest functions, and salaries and wages are a large portion of budgeted outlays (about $75'$76 million). The presentation also flagged a state grant labeled "Health First Indiana" for the health department estimated at $6,300,000.
During the public comment period, resident Tom Rue asked for clarification about two personnel line items for the probate court: one item listed at $110,000 for a "detention officer" and another at $45,000 for a "home detention officer." County staff offered to meet after the meeting to review those entries and said some items are transfers in the appropriation bill rather than direct budget salary lines.
County staff said the public hearing on the county budget (Bill 95-24) is now closed; the budget is scheduled for adoption on Oct. 8, 2024, and the state deadline for budget approval is Nov. 1, 2024. The council discussed hotel-motel (innkeeper) tax revenue of roughly $11,000,000, noting that those funds are generated by lodging taxes and are not property-tax revenue, and that much of the general fund's mental health levy is directed to local providers including Beacon Health Services and Oaklawn.
