The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

October 31, 2009

UPDATE: Trustees brace for likely drop in operating funds

By Patrick Cooley

BROOKFIELD — When Brookfield Township trustees attended a conference for local governments in Columbus in February, they got a rather bleak assessment for next year when they were told their funding from the state could be cut by as much as 20 percent.

“We haven’t seen it yet (the cuts from the state), but that’s what we’ve been told,” said Brookfield Township trustee Gary Lees.

Ohio faces a $3.2 billion budget deficit next year, according to The Associated Press, caused by many factors, including falling tax revenue. This could mean less money for local governments.

According to trustees, the money the township gets from the state goes into its general fund, which it uses to provide road services and maintain the cemetery. In 2009, the township received $164,684, but Sylvia Addicott said the state lowered that figure several times, and they had first been told they would get $197,435.

She said the township could benefit from an increase in the collection of the estate tax, but because that tax is scheduled to be phased out in 2010, they can’t count on it in the future.

The township has had a total budget of around $3 million over the last several years, but most of that money goes to departments such as fire and police, which are funded through a combination of tax levies and grants, and the ambulance service, which covers its costs by billing insurance companies.

Only a small portion of the total budget goes into the general fund. In 2009, for example, the general fund was $349,193.

“What I worry about is the roads,” Lees said. “We need to make sure that the roads are being maintained and we have to make sure they’re drivable. I know by being out campaigning in just about every area of the township, a lot of roads need to be fixed soon or we’re going to lose them.

“We’re fortunate enough financially to be still stable, and there’s no worry at this time,” he said. “But with a cut like that, there’s going to be some concerns.”

Trustee Ron Haun said the bulk of the money in the general fund goes into the road department.

Jamie Fredenburg, the head of the township road department, said the money from the state is usually used for paving and major road improvements.

“That means there’s going to be a reduction in paving and road rehabilitation,” he said.

Trustees said they are hesitant to go to the taxpayers to ask for levies in economically uncertain times in order to make up the difference.

“We are going to have to start looking at other avenues,” Lees said.

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