LORDSTOWN Drop in tax revenue leads to smaller budget

Downsizing at the GM plant also contributes to decreased village tax revenue.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Decreased income tax collections contributed to a smaller village budget for 2002.
Village council passed Monday a $9.1 million budget with a $2.68 million general fund budget. The 2001 spending plan was for $9.3 million with a general fund budget of just over $3 million.
Less revenue: Mayor Arno Hill pointed to lower interest earnings for the village and a reduction in the income tax. Last year, the village gave about $924,480, or about 30 percent of its income tax receipts, to Lordstown schools, which have been in fiscal emergency since late 2000. Downsizing at the General Motors plant also contributes to the village's decreased income tax receipts.
The budget includes $1.9 million for capital improvements, which include completion of a sewer line on Hallock-Young Road. The village has been working for the past few years to install sewer lines.
"This is going to be kind of a lean year for capital improvements with our income going down," Hill said.
The mayor delivered a state of the village address during the meeting, announcing his goals for this year.
He listed sidewalks and a street clock in the center of the village; tying in to the bike trail planned to snake through Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties; and installation of a bill drop-off in the administration building as items he would like to see addressed.
CIC re-forms: The Community Improvement Corporation, of which Hill is vice president, re-formed late last year after several years of inactivity.
"The CIC is looking at senior housing, and I think this should be somewhat of a priority," Hill said. "There's a real need for senior housing in the village, and that would free up other affordable housing."
CIC members have said that the senior housing idea is in its infancy and that they are exploring their options.
Hill also announced the appointment of Steven Pelo to the village's board of public affairs. Pelo previously served on the board, but no one ran for the seat in the November election.