WARREN Council makes way with cutbacks

Another meeting is set for 3 p.m. Monday.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Council members have come up with $1.5 million to cut from the 2003 budget and hope to trim the remainder to balance the spending plan at a meeting next week.
Department heads requested nearly $31 million for next year, and the city auditor has certified about $27 million in revenue. Council members have been meeting since mid-November, reviewing the numbers. A balanced budget must be passed by year's end.
In a meeting Tuesday, council members listed $200,000 for new hires, $760,000 for capital projects, $250,000 to move the operations department's vehicle maintenance area, $100,000 for W.D. Packard Music Hall, and $198,000 for police department new hires as possibilities to be cut.
Another meeting is set for 3 p.m. Monday.
Councilman John Homlitas, D-3rd, said the new officers expected to be hired in the police department next year won't likely be hired right at the beginning of the year so the amount doesn't have to be budgeted upfront.
Councilman Robert Marchese, D-at large, said the music hall's budget, if $100,000 is cut, could be re-evaluated midyear.
Other suggestions
Members brought out other suggestions that could be implemented in the long run. Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, suggested cutting park department funding.
It may not be popular, but the manpower used to mow the grass and perform other maintenance could be put to better use elsewhere in the city, he said. There are 21 parks in the city. Many have remained closed since the 2000 budget crisis, but city crews must maintain them.
Marchese suggested regionalization, or joining with other political entities such as Trumbull County, as something to be considered in the future.
"We're not flush," Marchese said. "We're not the Cleveland suburbs. Something's got to give."
Homlitas listed the city health and building departments as performing functions that could be done by the county.
The document includes $500,000 for street resurfacing, and council members are opposed to cutting that amount.
"I want more for the streets," said Councilman James "Doc" Pugh, D-6th.