Blanchester treasurer presents five-year forecast showing narrowing surplus then projected deficit by 2029

Treasurer Alleyn Unversaw presented the district’s five-year financial forecast at the Nov. 18 meeting. The forecast lists FY2024 total revenue of $17,870,570 and projects total revenue rising to roughly $20.51 million by FY2029. Expenditures are projected to increase as well, and the forecast shows an excess of revenues over expenditures turning negative by FY2029, with an estimated excess of -$1,156,282 and a projected June 30 cash balance of $6,138,767 for FY2029.

Key line items in the forecast include general property tax (projected to rise from $3.77 million in FY2024 to about $4.72 million in FY2029), public utility personal property, and income tax receipts (which show a large spike in FY2025 in the forecast table). The forecast also lists operating transfers-out and projected increases in personnel services and employee benefits over the five-year period.

Treasurer Unversaw’s packet shows the district’s fund balance remaining positive in the near term but declining toward FY2029, at which point the district forecasts a budgetary shortfall. The board did not adopt new levies at the meeting; the forecast lists renewal and new levy lines as not specified for most years.

What happens next: The five-year forecast provides a planning baseline for the district’s budget process; the board and administration may use the forecast to guide future levy discussions, spending decisions and staffing plans.