To the Editor:
Recently articles appeared in the New Philadelphia Times-Reporter and Carrollton Free Press Standard regarding funding for Carroll County. Although the topic of the articles primarily focused on the funding of the Ohio State University Extension office, remarks were made by commissioners that figures supplied to them by me, the auditor, were contradictory. Commissioner Wheaton was quoted as saying they had a deficit of $150,000 one day and then were told the next day they would have a $250,000.
First of all, we did not have a deficit. The reference to the $150,000 figure was the amount of reduction for appropriations in the general fund due to the shortfall of anticipated revenue for the year. This is not a deficit but an adjustment to be in compliance with the certified funds.
Secondly, the $150,000 amount was the estimated balance of the general fund at year end. Unused appropriations from all departments convert back to a cash balance available for appropriations in the new year. The amount was given to the commissioners the following week, not the next day.
The commissioners were correct in stating the Carroll County Budget Commission gave notice on Aug. 3, 2009, the original amount of estimated receipts was reduced by $300,000. It was the Budget Commission’s request commissioners reduce appropriations accordingly. If this is the amount they were referring to, then again, we did not have a deficit; we were below the original anticipated amount of revenue for fiscal year 2009. There was $150,000 that was not appropriated, leaving an adjustment of $150,000 that needed to be made during the year in order to be in compliance with the Ohio Revised Code.
E. Leroy VanHorne
Carroll County Auditor
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