Officials consider tax fee for utility

The program is similar to what Warren implemented last year.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Officials plan to tack a fee on many Trumbull County property tax bills to pay for a new department to manage storm-water runoff.
The fee under discussion would be up to about $30 a year for most homeowners in the 16 northern Trumbull County cities, villages and townships covered by EPA Phase II storm-water regulations.
Areas covered by the regulations are: Bazetta, Brookfield, Champion, Howland, Hubbard Township, Liberty, Newton Township, Vienna, Warren Township, Weathersfield, Cortland, Girard, Hubbard City, McDonald, Newton Falls and Niles.
Generating funds
Fees would generate $1.5 million to create a county utility to monitor water pollution in the 16 areas, as required by the EPA.
"We are sure there is going to be a utility, and we are sure we are going to have to fund it," said Richard Houk, who sits on the committee in charge of implementing the new rules.
He said the committee plans to ask commissioners to impose the new fees within the next two weeks. The committee hopes commissioners will act by mid-January, to get the fees on tax duplicates mailed this spring.
"They wanted us to hold off on any notification of this until after the election," Houk said.
County Commissioner Joseph J. Angelo said commissioners are waiting for a consultant's report before they make any decisions.
"This is a federal mandate and we have to fulfill our obligations," he said.
What Warren has done
The city of Warren has already instituted a storm-water utility, funded by a $2.60 monthly fee on utility bills.
The committee charged with implementing the EPA regulations plans to use the money to pay salaries for three people in the county health department, one person at the planning commission and one part-time and two full-time employees at the Soil and Water Conservation office, said John Woolard, the conservation office's storm-water coordinator.
He said a portion of the money will also be paid back to the 16 cities and townships that fall under the regulations. Local officials could use the money to subsidize their programs to clean out ditches and catch basins or to sweep streets, he said.
siff@vindy.com