MAHONING COUNTY Commissioners' actions

In other business, the county commissioners:
Approved a resolution that directs county dog warden Mike Fox to develop a policy on spaying and neutering dogs that are adopted from the county pound. At least three local veterinarians have agreed to offer discounted services on spaying and neutering dogs, which will be treated by the veterinarian before they are released to their new owners. The goal is to reduce the stray dog population. Meanwhile, the county prosecutor's office is finalizing a memorandum of understanding with Angels for Animals, a nonprofit agency that will assume the costs and care of dogs whose adoptions aren't completed after they leave the pound. Fox said plans also are in the works to post dogs' photos on the county Web site to promote adoptions and reunite lost dogs with owners.
Accepted the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council for the 2005 reporting year. Twenty-one abatements were reviewed, and the TIRC recommended continuation of 19. Companies that have received abatements collectively invested $14 million in their businesses and have hired more than 500 employees, both of which surpass commitments they made when they applied for tax breaks, county Auditor Michael V. Sciortino said. Abatements were terminated for YSD Industries of Austintown, which closed in January, and VinylTech Inc. of North Jackson, which asked that its abatement be discontinued. VinylTech bought the assets of its parent company and wants to sever all ties with its former owner, said Thomas J. Presby, TIRC member and manager of business assistance projects for the Regional Chamber. VinylTech has expansion plans and may seek a new abatement later, Presby added.