Commissioners to OK Howland 911 layoffs

Girard, Hubbard and McDonald will again have dog warden services.
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners today will address matters in three departments related to the county's general fund shortfall.
The board is set to approve layoffs at the 911 Center in Howland the first week of June, in an effort to hang onto enough money to keep the department running through the year.
Tim Gladis, county 911 director, will furlough five dispatchers and one supervisor and reduce one administrative data processor to part time with no benefits.
He said the move will save $197,000 this year. At the current staffing and spending levels, the 911 Center would be out of money in October.
Gladis' operation has a $1.8 million budget, with the county providing $1.14 million, the townships $396,000 and the remainder being made up from a carryover from last year.
The county will begin to realize additional income after September from two new sales taxes imposed by commissioners in April. Stores will start applying the taxes July 1.
Planning commission
At the Trumbull County Planning Commission, its housing specialist was laid off earlier this year because of a money shortage. The planning commission now seeks additional services from its housing consultant.
Commissioners are being asked by the planners to approve an agreement with CT Consultants Inc., Youngstown, for professional services for the housing program. The cost would be $73,125, an $18,000 increase over last year as CT takes on paperwork the county staff used to handle.
CT administers similar housing fix-up programs for low- and moderate-income people in Girard, Niles, Struthers and Campbell.
Dog warden
In other business, commissioners are scheduled to approve an agreement with Girard, Hubbard and McDonald for dog warden services. The county humane society in January had canceled its contracts with four communities.
Niles hired its own warden. For the other three, Trumbull County will provide dog warden services for $100 per month from each, and $25 per call for regular business hours ($50 after hours). The county's dog warden will respond through calls to police departments or dispatching centers; no added staff will be hired.
"They will be treated just like a township, when they have a call," said Tony Carson, county administrator.