Casino Stats
By David Lewis |
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Breakdown
Divvying up the spoils: If the Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan somehow manages to evade the powerful anti-casino lobby, backers of the amendment proposal estimate Franklin County and Columbus would split nearly $30 million annually from tax revenues on the casino's wager-related profits. Today's shattered economic climate has taken a drastic toll on every level of government spending in Ohio; so how far does $15 million really go in Columbus? (All figures based on the proposed expenditures budget for FY2009)
Mowing the Grass
Due to the battered city budget, 2009 could witness the closing of 12 recreational facilities, leaving 18 parks with enough funding to operate.
Excluding city-owned golf courses, the Recreation and Parks budget for 2009 is nearly $28 million; not included are city-owned golf courses, which will cost around $5 million in upkeep
Waste collection -- $26 million
City health programs -- $22 million
Playing it Safe
Around 72 percent of Columbus's annual expenses are on keeping the town safe. The proposed budget would allot $195 million and $252 million for firefighters and police, respectively. That $15 million worth of betting taxes could pay for either 300-350 firefighters, or around 330 police officers, at average salaries.
Franklin County
With its $15 million cut of the rake, Franklin County could:
- Nearly pay for a new animal shelter - $18 million
- Cover nearly half of the $33 million worth of bridge repair projects currently considered "shovel ready," or half of the "shovel-ready" road projects, also $33 million.
- Complete the renovation of the ADAMH Netcare Psychiatric Hospital - $925,000
- Pay for half of its proposed energy conservation measures ( i.e. lightbulbs and solar panels) - $27 million
- Take a big chunk out of water and sewer utilities - $21 million
Originally Published: May 1, 2009
