The Montgomery County Budget Commission approved the allocation of over $32 million in local government funds for local jurisdictions for 2011 and over $19 million in local library government funds in the county.
This is an increase in funding compared to 2010’s $48 million allocation, but still less than the 2009 allocation, which was about $60 million in local government and library funds. A decline in state revenue is responsible for the drop in available local government and local library funding. “We are cautioning local governments to be very conservative with these estimates,” said Auditor Karl Keith. “The state is facing a budget crisis next year, state revenue continues to be sluggish and every level of government is feeling the pinch.”
The allocations, approved on Tuesday, are from an estimation of funds to be distributed to the county from the state’s Local Government and Local Library Government Fund. The Budget Commission, consisting of Auditor Keith, County Prosecutor Mat Heck and County Treasurer Carolyn Rice, determines the annual allocations to local jurisdictions based upon a formula approved by the jurisdictions and the Commission.
Montgomery County is the largest estimated recipient at over $13.6 million for 2011. The city of Dayton would receive $11.2 million, leading all municipalities. Dayton Metro Library is to receive an estimated $15.1 million from the Local Library Government Fund, an increase from last year, but still about $4 million less than it received in 2009.
Of the $32 million allocated from the Local Government Fund, $16.6 million goes toward municipal jurisdictions in Montgomery County. Townships comprised about $1.3 million of that total, with local parks receiving just over $500K. Local libraries were allocated $19.2 million from the Local Library Government Fund, with Dayton Metro Library receiving an estimated 79% of that funding.