Thursday, June 13, 2002
The commissioners hired an outside law firm to represent them in a lawsuit filed by the Columbiana County Veterans Service Commission.
LISBON -- Columbiana County Commissioner Sean Logan is asking county officeholders to curtail all but essential travel until the county's fiscal crisis passes.
Logan made that request Wednesday after commissioners conducted their routine review of departmental travel requests.
County officeholders sometimes travel to attend training, conferences or meetings connected with their jobs. They are reimbursed for expenses from the county general fund.
Logan said he didn't have any figures readily available on travel costs being chalked up by officeholders. Nor did he question the validity of the travel.
But given the county's fiscal crisis, he said he feels travel should be curtailed.
"This in no way will solve our financial problem," Logan said. But it would be a gesture to show money is being saved wherever possible, he added.
Logan noted that county commissioners travel on business, but have been paying for the expense from their own pockets.
Clerk of Courts Anthony Dattilio said he's already been avoiding all nonessential travel.
Treasurer Linda Bolon said that, generally, she pays for discretionary travel costs from her own pocket.
Hiring law firm
In other business, commissioners entered into an agreement to hire the law firm of Harrington, Hoppe & amp; Mitchell of Youngstown to represent them in a lawsuit filed against them by the county Veterans Service Commission.
The legal representation will cost $125 an hour, but the total bill will not exceed $10,000, according to the agreement.
The veterans agency sued commissioners last month in the 7th District Court of Appeals, claiming they are being inadequately funded by the county.