County should be fiscally strong in 2018

On Wednesday, the Hamilton County Council began finalizing a budget that many of the council members feel will keep the county in the black for 2018.

“Smooth” is how Councilman Steve Schwartz described Wednesday’s budget meeting. “I’m proud of the Council for working together on this budget. I’m also very impressed with our department heads for the work they’ve done prior to today’s meeting. We have many department heads that are recognized statewide and nationally. They are the best of the best and Hamilton County would not be what it is today without them.”

“Overall a very positive day,” stated Councilman Rick McKinney following the budget meeting. “I feel we are going to wind up in a strong fiscal position for next year and we will be adding new positions to several departments to keep up with growth.” McKinney also complimented department heads. “We have some very experienced department heads that came to the budget meeting prepared.”

A public hearing on the budget will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4 with a budget adoption meeting scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 16.