Even though employment has slightly increased in Butler County in 2012, government leaders still view job growth as the most important issue facing the area as the calendar turns to the second half of the year.

“The top three (issues) are jobs, jobs and jobs,” said Don Dixon, county commission president.

Employment in the county this year grew by 5,900 jobs to a total 179,100 people employed as of the end of May, according to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Over the same time, unemployment dropped from 16,000 people in January out of work and actively looking for a job to 13,500 jobless in May.

The unemployment rate in May was 7 percent, still considered high.

Middletown Councilwoman Anita Scott Jones said, “Economics, it goes without saying (is an issue). We have to get our workforce back in sync across the board. We need a workforce that is educated for today’s jobs in technology. There will always be a demand for industrial jobs, but they are dwindling.”

Getting Butler County’s residents back to work is key to seeing an economic uptick.

Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller and Dixon said a focus must include not only bringing jobs to the area but keeping businesses healthy so jobs can be kept.

“We have to keep what we’ve got,” Moeller said.

Hamilton’s unemployment rate in May was 8.2 percent, or 2,500 people. Middletown’s rate was 8.4 percent, or 2,000 people, according to Ohio Job and Family Services.

Middletown Mayor Larry Mulligan Jr. said key in his city is “economic development and making sure we are constantly doing what we can to leverage, capture and retain as many jobs as possible.”

Education was another top issue, which is tied to a better prepared workforce.

Good schools are a key part of a community’s success, according to officials.

“We cannot have an educated workforce without our school system being a key component,” said Scott Jones.

Last year, only three Butler County school districts — Ross, Lakota and Talawanda — achieved an Excellent with Distinction rating on their Ohio Report Cards.

And all districts have been faced with shrinking budgets as a result of the sagging economy.

Officials also cited continuing to shrink government and keeping taxes down and sharing of resources as other top issues the county faces in the second half of 2012.

“We have to reduce taxes,” Dixon said. “Taxes burden not only businesses, but the average person. People should not have to choose between paying their electric bill or to buy clothes for their children because they are overtaxed. Taxpayers are tired and they don’t want to pay anymore.”

Doing more with less and sharing resources regionally between governments is a must and will be the norm in the future, said both Sheriff Richard Jones and Dixon.

“We are already sharing resources,” Jones said, noting his department has joined regional SWAT, drug and dive units.

Dixon said governments, not just law enforcement, “have to get off the turf issues and start pooling resources.

“We just can’t have this duplication of services anymore. It has never been cost effective,” Dixon said.

Contact this reporter at (515) 820-2168 or lauren.pack@coxinc.com.