County Council could again consider cumulative capital development tax

Last considered four years ago and roundly rejected by the Putnam County Council, the county could again consider establishing a cumulative capital development (CCD) fund.

With the 2022 county budget up for final approval next month, the Council has been more seriously considering such matters recently, between recent budget hearings and their regular September meeting on Tuesday.

With a maximum tax levy for the county of $5,842,930 in 2022, a CCD fund would allow the county government to capture additional funds outside the levy.

That used to be possible through three cumulative funds — courthouse, jail and bridge — until those were brought within the levy in 2016.

The aftermath of that change to state law prompted the last time the Council had serious CCD discussions. However, no Council member voted in favor of establishing CCD at that time.

It’s unclear how much support CCD has currently, but Councilman Phil Gick at least asked the question of contractor Jacque Clements of Maximus, who helps the county through the budget process each year.

Clements explained that in order to establish a CCD fund, the Putnam County Commissioners would have to have to pass an ordinance establishing such a fund between Jan. 1 and April 1 of next year, and then the Council would have to establish a rate during budget time next year, thus clearing the way for CCD funds in 2023.

The CCD discussion came on the heels of a public hearing at which no one spoke regarding the 2022 budget. The Council is set to give final approval of the budget during its October meeting.

The maximum levy for 2022 will be $5,842,835, broken down as follows: $4,498,835 for the general fund (tax rate of $0.3593 per $100,000 of assessed value), $44,194 to cumulative jail ($0.0030 rate), $810,217 to cumulative bridge ($0.0550 rate), $239,470 to health ($0.0191 rate), $166,548 to reassessment ($0.0133 rate) and $86,914 to cumulative courthouse ($0.0059 rate).

With funds from other sources, the county will be operating on a budget of around $21 million in 2022, with notable funds including $9,438,411 in the general fund, $3,952,900 for the Putnam County Highway Department, $593,330 for local roads and streets and $1,824,883 to Putnam County EMS.

The 2022 budget also includes three areas funded by local income taxes (LIT) — $1,385,763 for public safety, $603,056 for public safety access point (911 dispatch) and $1,654,530 for the jail.

The county also has the funds to transfer $550,000 to the Rainy Day Fund.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a budget reduction for the Floyd Township Fire Protection District.

With the reduction, the money goes back into the district’s cash operating fund so that it can be used in the future.

• Approved a $30,000 additional appropriation for unemployment benefits.

The county has had a high volume of unemployment claims this year and has already spent more than the budgeted amount.

With no control over such claims, the Council unanimously approved the appropriation.

• Briefly discussed the possibility of redistricting.

Following the 2010 census, the county had to redraw the lines of the four County Council districts due to disparities in population.

However, this time around the four districts are all within 10 percent of one another, thus requiring no new districts.

The remaining three Putnam County Council seats are filled by at-large members.

The next meeting of the Putnam County Council is set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19 on the first floor of the Putnam County Courthouse.