Ohio county one of few boasting low tax debt

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — As the federal government and municipalities throughout the U.S. struggle with growing deficits, leaders in Warren County in southwestern Ohio feel like they’re sitting pretty.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that it’s the only county in the region with no general obligation-limited tax debt as of Dec. 15. That’s according to an analysis of financial data from the Ohio Municipal Advisory Council.

Including Warren, only nine of the state’s 88 counties can say that. That’s about 10 percent.

A municipality can raise taxes to pay general obligation-limited tax debt without a public vote.

Unlike many other municipalities in the state, Warren County pays cash for big-ticket expenses, including $12 million for a new administration building in 2001.