2009 State of the County

A Message from the Board of Commissioners

Warren County : State of County
April 2009

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(513) 695-1250

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
David Gully
(513) 695-1255

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT
& BUDGET DIRECTOR
Tiffany Zindel
(513) 695-1241

We are pleased to present our 2009 State of the County to the citizens of Warren County. Warren County has become one of the most affluent counties in Ohio with higher than state and national averages in home ownership, median income, and new job creation, and we still retain the title of being the 2nd fastest growing county in the state. Our population has grown by 31% since the 2000 census to the new 2008 projection of 207,353.

Tourism remains our leading industry employing 11,029 people and attracting 6.4 million visitors a year. Tourism and automotive sales are the leading contributors to our county’s sales tax revenue making up about 42% ($27M) of our $67M County General Fund budget last year. The 2009 budget reflects a .09% increase in operating costs.

2008 highlights include purchasing Armco Park (310 acres); $1.9M wind damage from Hurricane Ike; completing $12M in roadway improvements; expansion of the Lower Little Miami Sewer Treatment Plant, County Court mFacilities; Caesar Creek’s 30th Anniversary; reorganizing Hazmat saving $100k annually; 1,741 new jobs created and 3,012 existing jobs retained; Workforce Development helped 1,557 people find employment; for the 2nd year the Commissioners provided a $10 per credit hour Grant Program for residents attending Sinclair Courseview Campus; worked with MRDD to roll back their levy by $9M/annually; conducted a 30K pound food drive for local food pantries; in addition to hearing many annexations, site plan reviews and re-zonings.

As we celebrate our many strengths and overall positive standing, dwindling resources, budget restraints and cut-back challenge us to live within our means just like every other business and household in the nation.

Warren County has practiced solid financial policies for many years, as evidenced by the existence of a rainy day fund. We are one of only a few counties not laying off staff in 2009. However, no matter how good our financial practices, we cannot escape the fact that we are inextricably tied to the economic fortunes of our state and country. In 2008, building permits were down 35.8% and deeds filed with the Recorders Office were down 18.5% with mortgage recordings down about 32.8%.

Times are tough and government services are needed more than ever. Because of that, we are spotlighting county Social Service Agencies this year. We must be mindful of how well we are doing to help those experiencing difficult times. We had a 60% increase last year for food stamp allocations alone. We gratefully recognize the commitment by our County Employees to the people of Warren County and publicly thank them all for their hard work and dedication.

There is much we can do to spark a local recovery in these difficult times. It has been said that the best way to predict the future is to invent it. As we focus on the future, we encourage everyone not to look in the rearview mirror, but instead, to keep your eyes on the road ahead. We will work hard to maintain services and planned projects cutting costs where possible, continuing to emphasize Economic Development. By creating jobs and training workers to meet the needs of employers, we will get our economy going again and be better prepared for our bright future ahead.

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