Commissioners Approve 2020 Budget and Library Tax Resolution

The Franklin County Commissioners approved the 2020 budget as it was proposed last month. The budget of $157,971,700 is a $5.7 million decrease from the preliminary budget proposed in October, and is $9 million less than the revised 2019 budget. This is the fourth consecutive year that the County’s budget has been passed with no tax increase for the general fund.

“We cut a number of department requests during the review process,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “We will continue to find ways to reduce the cost of services without affecting the quality of those services,” he added.

The 2020 budget includes funding to accomplish the following priorities:

• Increase public safety and security;
• Streamline government and delivery of services;
• Maintain services that support county citizens through funding existing and new programs for human services and veterans;
• Support quality of life programs such as farmland preservation and tourism and quality of life enhancement grants; and,
• Attract and retain a skilled, dedicated workforce.

The Commissioners also considered a request from the Franklin County Library System for an increase in funding to maintain its buildings, services, and staff. A presentation from library representatives showed significant increases in books checked out, visitors to library buildings, computer use, programming and program participants, library card registrations, and community meeting room space used.

Though library representatives requested an increase in library tax of 0.5 mill, the Board approved a resolution to increase the library tax by 0.25 mill which is around an additional $5 per year for the average Franklin County homeowner (average home value of $150,000). This is the first library tax increase in 6 years.

The 2020 budget is available to view on the here.

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