County's '24 budget still about $900K out of balance

Keith Gushard, The Meadville Tribune, Pa.
·1 min read

Dec. 21—The deficit in Crawford County's proposed 2024 budget has been cut, but it's still close to $1 million, according to the county's chief financial officer.

The deficit is now at $900,000, down from $1.3 million, Stephanie Franz, the county's chief financial officer, told county commissioners at their work session Wednesday.

Commissioners are expected to act on approving the 2024 budget at their voting meeting next week.

"We're still making headway on that, down to just around $900,000 out of balance," Franz said of eliminating the imbalance. "There are still some things I can do."

To help balance the budget, Franz told the Tribune that capital expenses such as paving the area behind the courthouse where the former county jail and other capital projects may be cut from the 2024 budget.

Additionally, the county may have to use fund balance — leftover funds from prior years — to offset any deficit.

Franz said any county tax increase to offset the budget deficit would be a last resort and minimal, if even proposed at all by the county's finance office.

Commissioners have said they won't raise county taxes for 2024.

The proposed 2024 budget's expenses total $65.5 million.

The commissioners meet Wednesday of next week to act on the 2024 county budget.

Keith Gushard can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.