Crescent-News.com - Parents voice their concerns to Paulding Co. commissioners

By GEORGIA KOHART

kohart@crescent-news.com

PAULDING -- A coalition of residents voiced their concerns to Paulding County officials over proposed, across-the-board funding cuts to non-mandated programs in 2009 if a countywide operating levy is rejected by voters on Nov. 4.

Several residents of Brown Township were especially concerned about the possible elimination of the Paulding County Ohio State University Extension, which runs the county 4-H program.

Heather Parrett, Oakwood, read a letter explaining the concern of parents regarding the future of the youth program.

Lisa Land of Oakwood stated: "This is the one program that our county has for youth," while Tina Kessler, also of Oakwood, told county officals that "4-H teaches leadership skills, life skills. Do you feel it's not a priority to make an investment in our youth?"

Commissioner Tony Burkley replied, "I don't argue with anything you say. But, we are already asking all our departments to take a 25 percent cut. Some offices are going to have trouble meeting their payroll."

Burkley explained how 2009 projected revenues of $4,065,250 would be allocated, noting officials are estimating an $844,750 budget deficit for next year.

According to Burkley, several factors are responsible for this lack of funding: failure of a jail levy last year, a 20 percent rise in Social Security paid out and flat revenues.

On the general election ballot is a countywide levy for an additional 2.5 mills over five years to fund current expenses. If voters approve the levy, budget cuts will not be made. However, if the levy fails, all non-mandated programs, such as 4-H, will lose all county funding at the end of the 2008 calendar year.

"It (the levy) will only cost a household a dollar or two more a week," said Ray Johanns, who is running for commissioner.

Other non-mandatory programs funded by the county that will be cut for 2009 include, in part: economic development, $25,920; the Soil and Water Conservation District operations, $68,060; Black Swamp Nature Center, $750; the fair board, approximately $14,000; and fire marshal, $900. The EMA will also experience significant cuts.

"Four-H was started in Ohio," Kessler stated. "We cannot afford not to have the program. It shouldn't be conditional, it touches everyone in the county. We only need one extension agent to have a 4-H program. We will work and volunteer our time."

"We don't need to have a fair to have 4-H," Land added.

A 2007 statistical report from the OSU Extension lists Paulding County 4-H with 588 members. According to the local 4-H program, the members belong to 23 clubs led by 75 adult volunteers.

Noting that county funding will end for non-mandated programs after 2008 unless the new levy is approved by voters, Land explained that many people had been feeling that the proposed cuts are merely a threat to get the levy passed.

Responded Burkley: "When you try to explain the facts, it's always viewed as a threat. But, it's hard to explain 260 pages of accounting to someone."

Commissioner Ed Straley added, "We agree with all of you wholeheartedly. That's my grandchildren you are talking about, but it's just not in the dollars."

"If our revenues had gone up the same rate as Social Security, we wouldn't be having this problem," Burkley stated.

Straley said, "The bottom line is this: Let me take 40 percent of your wages and see what you can do. That's why we are asking for this levy."

County Auditor Susan Simpson addressed the crowd, stating, "I commend you as taxpayers for finding out the facts. It is a complex subject and it does take effort and time."

Kessler said she had also contacted Gov. Ted Strickland and his wife, agriculture director Robert Boggs, state Sen. Steve Buehrer, state Rep. Lynn Wachtmann and OSU Extension on the matter. "We don't want to point fingers and place blame. Our kids are in the lurch. So much depends on timing for the kids' 4-H projects."