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Podcast July 12, 2024: Colerain Public Safety Budget Discussion

Posted in Podcast.

We take a look at the Colerain Township Public Safety Budgets, History and Challenges

The squeeze on township finances is happening across Ohio.  This is due in large part because the only mechanism for funding is property taxes which are already at the breaking point.

Podcast

Guests: Colerain Leaders: Police Chief Ed Cordie, Fire Chief Allen Walls, Admin - Jeff Weckbach, Finance - Jeff McElravy

Segment 1: Review Police and Fire Costs and Budget History (podcast)
Segment 2: Review Township Budget and History (podcast)
Segment 3: What options are available? (podcast)

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Documents:

Segment 1:

Review Public Safety (Police & Fire) Budget Past and Future

  • Police:
    • Largest increase since 2010, 125%
    • What have been the major drivers of the increase?
    • Current number of calls and breakdown of the types of calls
      • 72 calls per officer in June
      • 12% year over year increase

    • As we discussed in the past, the major driver is simply cost per officer and number of officers.

  • Fire:

    • $15.1 for 2 new stations

    • Largest budget item and big increase since 2022

    • What are the major drivers of the increases?

    • Current number of runs and breakdown

    • What are the main drivers of budget?

Segment 2:

Township Budget and Income Streams

  • Elements of the budget: Safety, Roads, Parks and other

  • Elements of income: Property Tax, Ohio Local Government Fund, other

    • Impact of non-property tax income changes

    • Any ways to get income other than property tax increases

  • Impact of recent levies

    • Each would cost average homeowner $400 - $500 per year

    • 2 School and 2 Police levies have failed in last 12 months

Segment 3:

Options for covering budget without increase in property taxes

  • Options for Police and Fire to reduce need for additional funds

  • Sharing with other localities?

  • Public/private partnership?

  • Fees?

  • Ohio funding of local governments?

  • City - Pros and cons

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