Richland County is in the early stages of putting together its 2024 budget, but thanks to an increase in shared revenue and an increase in investment income the picture is looking positive.

County Administrator Candace Pesch reported to the county board on Tuesday, Sept. 19 the preliminary preview of the upcoming budget.

"In a lot of ways out budget is looking much better," Pesch said.

The county will not have to use any general fund money to balance the budget. Instead an influx of $803,000 in shared revenue from the state and an increase in interest on investments helped make the difference. The county was able to reduce short-term borrowing by $40,000 moving toward a goal of eventually no short-term borrowing.

With a local tax levy of $10.8 million the county has a balanced budget without any large increase to the taxpayer.

Pesch said the increase in shared revenue coming in year-after-year is a wonderful addition to the budget.

In other action, the county board approved opening the position of finance director of the county, who will report to county administration and help relieve financial duties that have been on the county clerk and were to sunset in 2025.

"Derek (Kalish) has done an outstanding job for us," Pesch said.

Pesch said having a county administrator, Human Resources Director and a Finance Director are generally part of neighboring county governments and it was a model Richland County wanted to attain in strategic planning. Pesch has a background in human resources, so she can fill that role as well as the administrator's role.
The county board approved hiring a finance director to maintain the budget and help lead the county through the installation of some new financial software which is needed, Pesch said.

The county board received a presentation from Becker Professional services on economic development in the future for the county.

The big need stated by multiple sources in Becker's study was for additional housing in Richland Center and Richland County. The county also needs to look into investments in the community to improve the quality of life of residents. Among things Becker said could be of special help would be using economic development funds for a grant program for people making business improvements.

One big need Pesch said that was identified was developing collaborations with others and working in partnerships.

For example, while housing is a need in Richland County, the Southwest Regional Planning Commission is in the process of conducting a long-term housing plan for the county.

By hiring a financial director, the county removed one of the top economic development goals off Becker's list.