American Idol 2012 finale
Rollover crash injures 2
News hounds (5/24/12)
Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > March > 15 > Entry
Dixon’s proposed Butler County levy review committee
Butler County commissioners agreed this morning, March 15, to establish a committee to analyze the necessity of proposed tax levies.
Commissioner Donald Dixon outlined a plan that calls for a nine-member committee and a thorough, nearly yearlong process for reviewing levies before they go on the ballot.
Here is Dixon’s proposal:
Analysis:
It also limits the amount that expiring levies can increase, not allowing it to exceed inflation.
Dixon said the plan is based largely on Hamilton County’s tax levy policy.
“I’ve talked to them about their committee, and they say they’ve saved a lot of money and it’s the hardest working committee they have appointed,” Dixon said. “If we can get it started, I think it’s going to add a lot of value for the taxpayers.”
Dixon’s plan would require agencies to hire a consultant to review the agency’s financials, operations and management structure. It requires a detailed plan on how levy money would be spent.
Based on this information, the levy review committee would recommend whether the tax is needed, at what rate and for how long.
“Make no mistake, the final decision rests with the Board of Commissioners,” Dixon said.
Monday’s vote only got the ball rolling; commissioners didn’t wholeheartedly adopt Dixon’s plan.
Commissioner Charles Furmon expressed some concern about giving the committee too much power. He agreed with the general idea, on the condition that it’s discussed further before being created.
Commission President Gregory Jolivette suggested adding a committee that also reviews capital expenditures before the county borrows money.
Dixon said an abridged version of the 335-day process would have to be created for this year, with a few new and controversial levies possibly on the ballot. This includes a new tax for Butler County MetroParks and a renewal or replacement for the senior services levy.
The senior levy was used as an argument for a tax review committee after the agency that administers it announced it could take in $21 million more than it needed. Levy collection was since reduced.
Dixon’s plan also sets rules on what surpluses can be used for, and forbids agencies from using levy funds for future levy campaigns. And it requires a financial review halfway through the life of the levy.
“(It will ask) are they on track? Are they spending on the rate they’re supposed to be spending? We don’t have any of that stuff now, and it just makes good fiscal policy,” Dixon said.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: County Commission
Comments
By BC Watcher
March 15, 2010 1:01 PM | Link to this
Dixon will be the first commissioner to ignore this committee and fail to follow its recommendations. That is unless Dixon gets his way in appointing his cronies to this committee and I’m not sure even then he won’t one of his tantrums and fail to follow the committee’s recommendations.
By Geri
March 15, 2010 4:18 PM | Link to this
Here’s a novel idea, Commissioners just do the job you’re elected and paid to do. That’s not creating more committees or boards.
By Kerry
March 16, 2010 9:45 AM | Link to this
Yeah baby ! Let’s create more & bigger government so we can really steal from the people ! Another committee we can funnel money through to our own accounts ! Yeah baby !!!
By EthicsWatch
March 17, 2010 7:28 AM | Link to this
Appoint a committee of your cronies to hire a consultant of your choosing to oversee taxing your constituents so you can let more no bid contracts to the same cronies you appoint to the committee. What is wrong with that picture? Duh.