by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Managing Editor
MOUNT VERNON – It’s that time of year when elected officials release information to the public about their activities, expenditures and programs. The three Knox Couty Commissioners, Teresa Bemiller, Thom Collier and Roger Reed were guests of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club Tuesday at noon to give their “State of the County” presentation.
Collier said the commissioners oversee 23 departments and personnel. The county employs 450 workers and manages a $17.5 million annual payroll. The county holds $80 million worth of building assets and 135 vehicles.
Bemiller shared that during 2014, Knox Area Transit (formerly MOTA) and 9-1-1 became under the commissioner’s authority. The new consolidated 9-1-1 facility in the county administration building was moved to reduce personnel costs and become better managed in one location. Full-time staff has been reduced since the move.
Seven agency directors now report to the Commissioners including KAT, Job & Family Services, Safety/Loss & HR, Buildings Grounds & Maintenance, County Water and Wastewater, and the Animal Shelter.
Bemiller said the 2015 appropriated budget is $14.3 million. The largest part of that is for the Sheriff’s Department at 4.8 million, about half of that goes to operate the Knox County Jail.
Bemiller said 39 departments are funded out of the general fund. The county gets funding fom a variety of sources.
Property tax brought in $3.8 million last year. Sales tax is another revenue source the county relies on, $5 million came in last year.
The commissioners financially support the volunteer Knox Substance Abuse Action Team, or KSAAT, and will do that again this year to bring awareness of the problem and solutions to the community.
Reed talked about the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program. He says the county relies on it and mentioned the “Moving Ohio Forward” program last year. Over $400,000 was allocated to Knox County last year to pay for the demolition of abandoned residences. One notable demolition in Mount Vernon last year was a section of the old Mazza’s property on South High Street. That section contained residential apartments.
To learn more about the State of the County, listen to the audio of the address on KP radio. Or visit these links:
https://soundcloud.com/mount-vernon-radio-com/state-of-the-county-1-thom-collier
https://soundcloud.com/mount-vernon-radio-com/state-of-the-county-2-teresa-bemiller
https://soundcloud.com/mount-vernon-radio-com/state-of-the-county-3-roger-reed
