County budget approved by commissioners

St. Joseph County’s 2023 fiscal year budget is down a little more than 1 percent from the previous year.

The general fund budget for 2023 – $19.6 million – was approved last month by county commissioners. The county’s 2022 amended budget was $19.8 million.

Finance director Angie Steinman said looking at other counties similar in size to St. Joseph County and its 62,000 residents, its 2023 budget is comparable.

The county’s fiscal year runs Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

The top five departments in terms of financial allocation in 2023 are:

St. Joseph County Jail, $2.8 million.
Sheriff’s department, $2.6 million.
District Court, $1.3 million.
Appropriations, $1.2 million
Friend of the Court, $1.1 million