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Ohio County delays final budget adoption after staff reconciliation of levy figures
Summary
Commissioners voted to continue final budget adoption while staff reconcile Gateway/DLGF figures and confirm levy balance; the board approved a 3% salary ordinance and discussed options to advertise at the maximum levy to avoid long‑term revenue declines.
Ohio County commissioners voted to continue the county’s budget adoption to allow staff time to reconcile revised levy worksheets and Gateway entries with the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).
The decision followed a detailed review of updated levy worksheets Jackie provided, which showed an apparent $186,000 that could be moved into the general fund. Commissioners said they needed time to confirm how circuit breaker changes and outstanding temporary loans affect the numbers before making a binding adoption. “I can double check it tomorrow,” Jackie said when asked to confirm DLGF deadlines and advertising requirements.
The continuation preserves flexibility: staff will notify DLGF and re‑advertise an adoption meeting at least 10 days before the new date if needed. Commissioners emphasized the trade‑offs of advertising at the maximum levy now versus lowering the tax rate and risking a permanent revenue shortfall. One commissioner warned that “if we don’t pull it now… we can’t take it back down” after reassessment is filed.
As part of the same session, the board approved the county’s 2026 salary ordinance, moving a 3% across‑the‑board increase forward after a motion and recorded aye votes. Commissioners also discussed specific line‑item shifts (health, reassessment, cash operating balances) staff had proposed to preserve general fund capacity in coming years.
Next steps: staff will reconcile Gateway entries with the budget worksheets, contact DLGF for guidance on changing the adoption date if required and return with a fully reconciled packet at the reconvened adoption meeting.
