Budget to run out in fall

Fall could be crunch time for many county operations.
WARREN -- Layoffs at Trumbull County 911 have been rescinded, but the payments expected from several townships and villages to keep the service going won't last all year.
Wednesday, county commissioners officially rescinded the planned layoffs of 15 full-time dispatchers, a data processor and a supervisor.
The 911 center in Howland had a $2.1 million budget last year but faces a $614,000 shortfall this year. There are 30 full-time employees, and the center dispatches for 20 townships, Cortland, Orangeville and the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department.
Members of the Trumbull County Township Association have approved a plan that would give the county the money needed to keep the employees working.
Tim Gladis said, however, the money will last only until August or September.
The townships agreed to pay the amount of money they owe for the rest of the year now, instead of in monthly installments. The police and fire departments pay a total of about $470,818 annually toward the 911 operation.
Commissioners also approved a $32 million general fund budget that also might not last a full year. Officials say the budget is about $6 million short of what's needed.
"It's like trying to put a small shirt on an extra-large person. It's difficult to do, and the results are not always satisfactory," said Commissioner Paul Heltzel.
Sales tax hearings
Some last-minute changes took $376,986 away from budget requests by the county courts, probate court, prosecutor, juvenile court and adult probation to keep them at 2004 levels.
Among the beneficiaries of this move is the county jail. Heltzel said $100,000 will allow the jail to hold onto more prisoners for another month and figure out which ones might qualify for early release, rather than paying to send them to other counties' lockups.
Also, the cuts handed a handful of county offices would have been even more severe without the $376,986 change, he said.
Bearing the brunt of budget cuts will be the sheriff, treasurer, auditor, recorder and 911 center. Already, offices are making layoffs and cutting back on hours of operation, work days and supplies.
Heltzel conceded the courts could still file legal action to restore their requested budget amounts.
Commissioners are discussing an additional sales tax as a way to generate money for the last quarter of this year, and thereafter. Public hearings on a tax will be at 10 a.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Tuesday at the county administration building, 160 High St. N.W.