REGIONAL AIRPORT Officials consider consultant

Neither county can afford the extra expense right now, commissioners said.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- If commissioners in Mahoning and Trumbull counties want a consultant to help them preserve a federal aviation grant for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, it will cost them more than $67,000.
Commissioners in each county are against it.
William Reali, Western Reserve Port Authority treasurer, sent commissioners a memo last week explaining that since the airport no longer has commercial passenger service, it stands to lose a $1 million federal aviation grant.
"This means we will be locked out for the next three years and entitled to only $150,000," Reali wrote in the memo.
The port authority is made up of representatives appointed by commissioners in both counties. It oversees operation of the airport, which is in Trumbull County.
An option
Reali suggested hiring consultant Robert Wigington of North Potomac, Md., who would lobby for retention of the $1 million grant. Wigington requires an up-front payment of $30,000 to begin his services.
His total fee would be $67,500, plus $200 an hour for "additional professional support," according to a proposed contract.
Reali said he's not sure that having a consultant on board would be enough to salvage the funding, but he wanted to give commissioners that option.
"Absent some representation, we do not stand a chance for these funds," the memo says.
Objections
Commissioners Vicki Allen Sherlock and David Ludt of Mahoning County and James Tsagaris of Trumbull County said they're not willing to pay the money.
"I'm opposed to spending taxpayer dollars for this when we are fighting for every dime just to keep the airport operating and keep the air base open," Sherlock said.
Ludt said the county, which has laid off nearly 90 employees because of budget constraints, cannot afford the additional cost.
He suggested that the counties lobby their congressional representatives for financial help while the port authority looks for other funding sources.
Reali says he is looking to find other revenue.
Mahoning Commissioner Ed Reese could not be reached to comment.
"I don't think we need a consultant at this time, for either county," Tsagaris said. "I think the grants will be there."
Trumbull commissioners Michael O'Brien and Joe Angelo also could not be reached.
Funding breakdown
Each county contributes money every year to help with the cost of operating the Vienna Township facility. Trumbull County has pledged $185,000 for this year, but Mahoning County hasn't yet decided. A vote two weeks ago ended in a 1-1 tie, with Ludt against it and Reese in favor.
The issue is expected to be brought up again when commissioners meet Thursday. Sherlock, who was absent the last time, is expected to cast the tie-breaking vote.
Sherlock said she wants to meet first with Mahoning Auditor George Tablack and discuss the county's projected financial condition for this year and the next two years. That meeting was to be today.
bjackson@vindy.com