Voters will likely see levy

The levy likely wouldn't bring back five laid-off city workers, one leader said.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- Voters will likely consider a new 5-mill, five-year property tax levy to help keep the city financially afloat, as well as a proposal to allow city officials to explore establishment of a joint fire district with surrounding communities.
At the end of a meeting Friday evening, city council agreed to have special meetings at 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to give three readings to the measures in time to meet Thursday's deadline to get them on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Even if the levy passes and brings in the anticipated minimum of $330,000 a year, the city probably won't be able to recall the five workers it has laid off, said Council President Robert Yankle. "That would maintain the services that we have now," he emphasized.
Collection wouldn't begin until early in 2005, and the city wouldn't see any revenue until April 2005, Yankle said.
Laid off
The city now has a firefighter, a water department worker, a janitor, and two street department workers laid off.
The city, which is in a state-declared fiscal emergency, must cut more than $600,000 from this year's general fund budget of almost $3 million to make expenditures match revenues, John Leskovyansky, city finance director, told council earlier this week.
The state financial oversight commission, which is monitoring the city budget during the emergency, will meet Thursday at city hall. "We have to get that balanced budget for the commission, period," Yankle said.
The city is also considering selling its water treatment plant and there is an interested buyer, he said, adding that an appraisal of the plant should be conducted for the city. The city could consider getting its water from the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, which serves Youngstown, Niles and surrounding communities, he added.
The city has already turned over the operation of its waste treatment plant to the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer's office.
"We've got to start looking at regionalization all the way through now for all government to run effectively," Yankle said.
milliken@vindy.com