The Hamilton County Commission has endorsed an $881 million budget that includes $523 million for education – a $31 million increase.
Mayor Jim Coppinger says the budget will allow the county to tackle several critical issues while maintaining a Triple A bond rating from each of the three major rating agencies.
Key initiatives in Coppinger’s budget include $5.4 million for fighting the COVID-19 virus, increased funding for corrections officers and 15% for public safety.
The mayor says additional funding in the budget will go toward retaining and hiring EMS and highway department workers and corrections officers.
Government workers will also see a 3% pay raise in an effort to retain and hire qualified workers.
Coppinger says $6.2 million will be applied to the capital needs of the highway department, local emergency medical services, law enforcement and the parks and recreation department.
The mayor will present budget requests that will come from American Rescue Plan money separately. Those presentations are expected to include additional money for the Urban League, local volunteer fire departments, an EMS training center and renovations to the downtown health department.
Source: Hamilton County mayor’s office