TRUMBULL COUNTY Bug spray supply: Is someone in a fog?

Acknowledging that there is no pest problem, the maintenance department director says the amount spent on bug spray still is not excessive.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- It's a question bugging at least one official probing the Trumbull County maintenance department's buying habits:
Why all the insecticide?
"I have no idea why we have this when we have an exterminator who sprays most of the county buildings once a month," Commissioner Michael J. O'Brien said.
An inventory conducted over the past four weeks by county employees and presented to commissioners two weeks ago shows the county has more than 600 cans and bottles of pest control products.
The costs of bugs
According to invoices provided by the county auditor's office, Berk Exterminator of Warren is paid about $7,000 a year.
Invoices also show the county spent an additional $4,200 on bug spray from January through August.
Tony Delmont, maintenance department director, who has been relieved of purchasing duties amid a local and state investigation, doesn't see that as excessive.
"The wasp spray is used for the people working on air conditioners," Delmont said. "Also, if someone notices ants or something, we aren't going to call Berk again, so we keep the spray on hand."
Delmont acknowledges the county doesn't have a pest problem. "We did a few years ago when we were doing the renovations," he said.
The county administration building was renovated in 2000.
None seen
County employees interviewed at the jail, administration building and courthouse couldn't recall seeing a bug inside the buildings for a number of years.
O'Brien said all maintenance department purchases are being reviewed.
Prosecutor Dennis Watkins began an investigation about three weeks after The Vindicator began a series of investigative reports in early August on excessive spending and sloppy record-keeping in the maintenance department.
State joins probe
Watkins has since asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and state auditors to join the probe.
Commissioners relieved Delmont of his purchasing duties and put them under the supervision of Roselyn Ferris, the county administrator and clerk, until the investigations are completed, O'Brien said.
sinkovich@vindy.com