Mahoning County's auditor warns of budgetary storm

"The county government basically is staring at bankruptcy," Mahoning County Auditor George Tablack contended recently. "We're at the point now that there will be little, if anything, left in our savings account at the end of this year."
Such a statement from someone who has long touted his expertise in government finances cannot be ignored.
If the county commissioners share Tablack's anxiety, they have an obligation to let the residents know what's in store for them. But if Edward Reese, Vicki Allen Sherlock and David Ludt disagree with the auditor's assessment of the county's fiscal condition, they need to publicly point out the flaws in his reading of the ledger.
Either way, the warning of impending bankruptcy demands a public airing -- and fast.
As part of such a discussion, Tablack should be willing to support his contention that the county has lost nearly $5 million since 1999 because it has not demanded payment from nongeneral fund departments that receive services such as data processing, payroll, legal services and building maintenance.
He argues that it is unfair to expect general fund departments to bear the burden of dwindling revenues when the Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities agency, as an example, owes $922,000 for the past four years.
Yearly billing
It is noteworthy that although nongeneral fund departments are billed yearly for indirect service costs, payment is not uniform. Tablack contends some pay all they owe, others only a portion, and still others pay nothing.
"Fundamental services of county government are at risk of collapse," the auditor said. "I don't think in any way, shape or form I'm being an alarmist in representing that to the public today."
While we applaud his desire to tell it like it is, we wonder if things are as clear-cut as he makes them out to be.
For example, on the issue of $5 million he says the county should go after, budget director Elizabeth Sublette opines that certain agencies are not obligated to reimburse the county for indirect costs. Among them, children services, the mental health board, the MRDD board and the health board.
As for the auditor's warning of impending bankruptcy, we look forward to hearing his proposals for putting Mahoning County government on a firm financial footing.
"It's time to raise the bar and start talking about this," Tablack said. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."
What measures, other than trying to persuade nongeneral fund departments to pay their fair share?