Trumbull senior services to continue

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — Nearly $2.5 million in contracts paid to vendors to provide services for county senior residents expires today.

Nonetheless, Trumbull County commissioners aren’t about to allow the senior services to lapse. The contracts will be extended for a few months.

“No one should get a disruption in service,” said Anthony Cario, staff director of the Trumbull County Senior Services Advisory Council.

The county receives about $2.5 million annually from a levy passed by voters in November 2005, with this year being the first full year for many of the services.

Cario explained that not all of the senior levy fund for 2007 will be spent, but the amount isn’t known yet. The money will be rolled over into the 2008 account.

County Auditor Adrian Biviano put the amount that will be rolled over into 2008 at $1.5 million. This includes money not spent in 2006 and this year.

The levy is expected to generate about $2.2 million in 2008, Biviano said.

When county commissioners approve the 2008 budget in the coming months, contracts using the levy money will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008.

“That’s OK with us. The funds are available,” Biviano said.

Commissioner Paul Heltzel said the senior levy fund will have a three-month budget to continue to provide funds to vendors.

For complete story, see Monday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.