What is the County Budget Commission?

On April 7 at 9 a.m., the Seneca County Budget Commission is to meet to consider revising its 2020 certified revenue figure. This brings forth the question: what is the budget commission and what does it do?

The budget commission is established by Ohio Revised Code 5705.27. One of the important functions of this group, which includes the county auditor, county treasurer and county prosecutor, is certifying a revenue figure for the General Fund each year. Near the end of 2019, the group certified $17.5 million in revenue for the 2020 budget. This gives the county commissioners guidance when working to approve an annual General Fund budget, as the group works to keep expenses at or below the certified revenue figure.

Typically, the budget commission attempts to certify a General Fund number by the end of each year, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group may need to make amendments to the 2020 revenue figure. This will help the commissioners and other elected officials as they attempt to balance the budget for the rest of this year.

Residents interested in listening to the April 7 commission meeting, may join via phone call by dialing (646) 558-8656 and using the meeting code 183 528 156.