Butler County finance director proposes $390.2 million 2017 budget, adoption set for Dec. 29

Tijuana Keels, Butler County finance director, presented the county'017 recommended budget and told commissioners the package totals $390,200,000: a $95,900,000 general fund and $294,300,000 in non-general funds. "We are requesting a general fund budget of $95,900,000," Keels said, and described a structurally balanced plan that assumes the phase-out of a Medicaid MCO sales tax.

Keels explained the county projected a $1.4 million decrease in general-fund revenue from 2016 to 2017 and proposed using roughly $2.4 million of one-time sales-tax-related revenue for nonrecurring items such as the Part B performance-pay allocations, capital repairs and a proposed increase to the budget stabilization fund. Keels said the county will return on Dec. 29 for formal adoption and recommended adding $2,000,000 to the stabilization fund at that time.

Why it matters: Keels emphasized structural balance and longer-term debt reduction, noting the county
ims to eliminate general-fund-supported general obligation debt by 2020. The presentation included a breakdown of capital requests (about $15 million annually) and a forecast of lower recurring revenue if the MCO sales tax is fully phased out. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about program integration and reserve targets; staff committed to follow-up materials ahead of the Dec. 29 vote.