COLUMBIANA COUNTY Board to adopt short-term budget

Next year's budget picture will clarify once a decision is made on a proposed sales tax increase.
LISBON -- Columbiana County commissioners are expected to adopt a three-month budget for 2002 that will fund county government until its financial situation becomes clearer.
Commissioners were to meet at 11 a.m. todayin special session to adopt the limited spending plan, Commissioner Dave Cranmer said Thursday.
Figures for the first-quarter 2002 budget probably won't be finalized until just before the meeting, Cranmer added.
Typically, governments adopt a budget at the beginning of the year to cover the entire 12-month period.
Operating budget: A three-month budget will allow county offices to operate until commissioners determine whether they will impose a 0.5 percent increase in the county's 1 percent sales tax, Cranmer explained.
Public hearings on the proposal are set for 9 a.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Thursday in the commissioners' meeting room at the courthouse.
Commissioners say a sales tax increase is needed because projected 2002 expenditures of $16.7 million outpace anticipated receipts of about $12.7 million.
A 0.5 percent increase in the sales tax would produce about $3 million annually, meaning spending cuts will have to be made even if an increase is enacted.
Commissioners have the option of imposing the tax, though voters could slap an issue on the ballot to remove it.
Commissioners also could decide to ask voters in the May primary election to approve the increase.