Mayor Jim Coppinger presented a no tax increase $664 million budget to the Hamilton County Commission Thursday, June 13.
The budget includes 393 million dollars dedicated to education.
Coppinger called his budget, “a fiscally conservative budget.”
The mayor projected revenues to be flat this year for Hamilton County, with a one percent increase in property tax that will produce only 1.7 million dollars in additional revenue.
Coppinger does expect constitutional offices to see a 9 percent increase in excess fees.
The mayor pointed out health care insurance costs actually increased to 10 percent.
Due to escalating insurance costs and impending changes due to the Affordable Health Care Act, Hamilton County employees will all be under the county’s co-insurance health plan.
Coppinger predicts this change will produce 1.8 million dollars in insurance savings.
The mayor also detailed support for the sheriff’s department with a budgeted purchase of 30 new patrol cars for deputies on the street. The mayor also said those vehicles will be equipped with proper lights and packaging as well as modern radios.
Chairman Larry Henry thanked Coppinger for his balanced no tax increase budget.
The commission will vote on the proposed budget June 27.
Source: Office of the County Mayor