Greeson: What's important and what's less important; only Coppinger knows

It was like a boxing undercard -- the preliminary fights before the main event -- only without the excitement.

But as the budget undercard unfolded at the Hamilton County departmental budget pitches Wednesday, there was an unspoken tension building. It was understated of course -- this was a budget hearing, for Pete's sake -- but the looming discussion was understood by the 40 or so folks there.

The various leaders of the various departments made their pitches to Hamilton County commissioners and County Mayor Jim Coppinger. There were questions and answers and little to no hubbub through the first dozen or so presentations.

Jay Greeson

Coppinger entered a few minutes before the 12:30 p.m. start time, his smile confident, his handshake quick. He's the guy who will make the decisions about what is important and what is less important in next year's county budget.

Of course, department heads were looking out for what they believe to be in the best interests of their territory. And they served as warm-up acts before school Superintendent Rick Smith stepped to the podium at 3 p.m.

Smith, you may recall, has asked for an extra $34 million in his budget this year, about a 10 percent increase. Yeah, that one. It's been a little bit of a talking point in recent days. He said his pitch to the commissioners would be similar to his pitch in his multiple meetings with the public. He was ready for myriad questions.

His presentation loomed over the proceedings, whether those involved wanted to admit it or not.

Heck, the Humane Educational Society requested a 57 percent increase to its funding, but that number, in actual dollars, paled in comparison to the school system's request.

"If the entire budget was a $100 bill, we are less than a dime," HES leader Dr. Tai Federico said of his request from less than $400,000 annually to more than $620,000. "It's been since 2007 that we've asked for an increase."

During the second presentation, Commissioner Joe Graham asked county Trustee Bill Hullander if people wanted to donate money to the school system, could they send an extra check to Hullander's office, which collects property taxes in our county. Graham went as far to note that those donated funds would only be available for capital needs and not payroll.

The main line of query about any and all requests for a budget hike stayed true to one question: Was a department's request for an increase a one-time ask or, as in the case of raises or added employees, a permanent increase?

"It's a pretty simple way: Ask for what you need and figure out how to do with less," said Sam Mairs, the Juvenile Court administrator.

Mairs earned some kudos from the commissioners for his management of the budget. He asked for $446 more next year than he got this year.

The commissioners, Mairs said, "have been really level across the board. There are different budgets but they get the same amount of attention. They have a tough job with giving dollar amounts relative to the services offered."

The challenge for the decision makers is keeping everyone in mind and everyone on the chopping block. And then there's the interpretive rub. What's crucial to one is forgettable to another. And those decisions go beyond the primary color of the day -- green.

Commissioner Greg Beck threw Steve Smith a curveball, not when he asked about the public defender's budget, but when he asked how many minorities worked in the public defender's office.

"I have no idea," Smith told the commission. "I've always been about the law and the lawyer more than the melanin of someone's skin."

Everyone had their hands raised and their reasons for why they need more.

And everyone had an opinion about what's important.

The first pitch has been delivered.

Did anyone hit a home run?

That's for Jim Coppinger to decide.

Jay Greeson's column appears on Page A2 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. His sports columns are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays. You can read his online column the "5-at-10" Monday through Friday at times freepress.com after 10 a.m. Contact him at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter at @ jgreesontfp.