MAHONING COUNTY Officials discuss funds

Commissioners voted 2-1 against giving sales tax money to the airport.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County Commissioner Ed Reese said a shortage of operating cash is starting to take its toll at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
"They shut off the airport director's cellular phone," Reese said. "That's what's happening out there."
Reese proposed that commissioners provide the airport with $50,000 from the county's economic development fund as a quick fix, but Commissioners David Ludt and Vicki Allen Sherlock voted against it.
"It's not prudent at this time," Ludt said. "Let's put our finances in place and then vote on it."
The action came during the commissioners meeting Thursday and followed yet another lengthy discussion about airport financing.
One view
Sherlock said she favors providing money for the facility, which is in Trumbull County, but won't vote until she's taken time to explore options for revenue other than the county general fund.
"When push comes to shove, I'm not going to vote until I'm comfortable," Sherlock said.
Commissioners have talked for weeks about where to come up with $182,000 for Mahoning County's share of operating expenses for the airport. They share the cost each year with Trumbull County, which has already appropriated its share this year.
Commissioners have said they want to find a reliable funding source so they can put an end to annual debates over airport funding. They've asked the Youngstown/Mahoning County Convention & amp; Visitors Bureau to contribute, but haven't gotten an answer.
Reese favors using money from the county economic development fund, which gets revenue from a county sales tax. Sherlock and county Administrator Gary Kubic said it's unclear, though, whether operating capital is a legitimate use for that money.
Commissioners also voted to transfer $850,000 from the general fund to the sheriff's department. The money will be used to recall some 50 deputies who were laid off in March because of countywide budget cuts.
The county budget commission voted earlier this week to amend the county's certificate of revenue by adding $850,000. The money is expected to come from an increase in the number of federal inmates kept at the county jail and an increase in the amount the county receives for keeping them.
Sheriff Randall Wellington has said the deputies should be back on the job Sunday.
bjackson@vindy.com