TRUMBULL COUNTY Water bills will go up for 3,600 residents

The rate increase came because Warren increased its bulk rate to the county.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- About 3,600 Trumbull County residents will see their water bills increase by more than $2 per month.
County commissioners approved a new rate Wednesday.
Water customers in Bazetta, Champion and Warren townships will experience 11.5 percent increases, or $2.25 a month, based on usage of 5,000 gallons.
Those in Howland Township will see an 8.8 percent increase, or $2.05 monthly.
The increases will be seen on the monthly bills beginning in December for customers in Champion and Warren townships. For those in Howland and Bazetta, the increase will be reflected in the February quarterly bills.
Reason for increase
Thomas Holloway, county sanitary engineer, said the new rate is based on a 21 percent increase in the bulk rate the city of Warren charges the county.
In 2001, the city and county ironed out an agreement that calls for annual increases in the bulk water rate through 2005.
Holloway said the bulk rate will increase by 4 percent in 2004 and 4.5 percent in 2005.
It will be determined then if those increases will be absorbed by the county or passed along to customers.
Mortgage revenue bonds
Also Wednesday, commissioners adopted a resolution of intent to use the county's borrowing authority to allow a company to remodel its Warren apartments.
KB Portfolio LLC of Cincinnati would be able to issue mortgage revenue bonds -- some of them tax exempt -- to improve 120 units at Warren Village on Roberts Avenue and Arbor Manor on Arbor Avenue.
Atty. Erin A. Sutton of the Columbus law firm of Peck, Shaffer & amp; Williams, KB's bond counsel, said the value of the bonds hasn't been determined, but the company plans to invest several thousand dollars in each unit.
Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the issue Dec. 4.
Purchasing, maintenance advice
As expected, commissioners appointed a three-member "blue ribbon commission" to provide professional advice on county purchasing and maintenance.
The appointments come in the wake of an inventory report showing numerous problems.
Named to the commission were Joseph Costanzo, retired from CSC; Charles Joseph, retired from Delphi Packard Electric; and Ralph Smith, retired from Forum Health.
The three are volunteers who will meet with the heads of some county departments to address purchasing and inventory problems.
yovich@vindy.com