CCAO Statehouse Report - August 12, 2022

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THE STATEHOUSE REPORT
August 12, 2022

A publication of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio
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Governor DeWine announces $5 million in state funding for county jails

Above: Governor Mike DeWine announces $10.1 million grant award for a new Coshocton County jail in October 2021. The funds were made available as part of SB 310 of the 133rd General Assembly.

On Friday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that six county jail projects will receive $5 million in state funding for critical safety, security and operational upgrades.

The following six counties were awarded funds through the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Bureau of Adult Detention:

· Darke County - $1.8 million for security upgrades

· Ross County - $1.6 million for security upgrades

· Monroe County - $329,000 for sewer system project

· Erie County - $150,000 for sewer system project

· Highland County - $179,000 for security upgrades

· Pickaway County - $902,000 for sewer system project

The $5 million in funding was made available through Senate Bill 310 of the 133^rd General Assembly as part of a broader $50 million jail grant program. Recently, an additional $51 million for local jail projects was included in House Bill 687 of the 134^th General Assembly. Applications for the second round of jail funding should be made available soon.

Addressing county jail infrastructure is a critical policy priority for CCAO. Ohio’s aging county jails are ill-equipped to handle today’s growing inmate populations, especially inmates with mental health and addiction-related needs. These facilities desperately need investment, which is not possible without state support.

CCAO applauds Governor DeWine and state lawmakers for their continued support to build a lasting state-county partnership to address the critical need for investment into county jail facilities.

State remains on firm fiscal footing with upward revenue projection for FY 2023

After one month into State Fiscal Year 2023, state revenue collections continued their solid performance, much as they did during FY 2022. This week, the State Office of Budget and Management (OBM) revised its revenue estimate for FY 2023, reflecting “a stronger level of economic activity” compared to projections made in mid-2021.

Overall, state revenues for FY 2023 are expected to come in 6.3 percent higher than originally forecast, or approximately $1.65 billion. While state revenues surged past revenue estimates for FY 2022 by $2.7 billion, OBM is more cautious regarding surpluses for FY 2023, citing “ongoing national and global economic uncertainties.” The upward revision still reflects the strong underlying fundamentals of state revenue streams early in the fiscal year.

The full monthly financial report for the state, including details on the revenue revision, can be accessed here.

Revised Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast indicates more severe bloom than initially predicted

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modified its forecast this week for harmful algal bloom activity in Lake Erie’s western basin.

The 2022 bloom forecast originally predicted a bloom of 3.5 severity (based on a scale of 1-10). Following heavy rainfall activity in July over the western basin watershed, the bloom forecast is being raised to a 4.5, which indicates moderate bloom activity.

Blooms with an index score above 5 indicate severe blooms, with a 7 representing particularly severe activity. The record for highest bloom index score came in 2015, which a severity index of 10.5.

Researchers cite increases in heavy rain event frequency due to climate change as a potential driver of bloom activity in recent decades. The increase in phosphorus within the western basin watershed also contributes to bloom activity, providing a food source to cyanobacteria.

The latest algal bloom forecast for Lake Erie can be accessed here.

Latest round of lead line mapping grants now available

Governor Mike DeWine this week announced the second round of grants to aid local communities in locating lead service lines.

As part of the H2Ohio program, $1.5 million is being made available to identify, inventory and map lead service lines. The application for this grant funding is available now on the Ohio EPA website. Those public water systems which lack financial means to locate lead service lines are eligible to receive up to $50,000 for this purpose. Applications will be accepted until September 9, 2022.

"There is no safe level of lead exposure, which is why I remain committed to helping our local communities locate and remove lead pipes," said Governor DeWine. "No one should need to worry that their drinking water is hurting their health, and we will continue to offer support to communities that need assistance addressing toxic lead pipes."

The governor’s press release with additional program details can be accessed here.