Revenue squeeze isn't new, officials suggest

Commissioners said they are used to tight budgets.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County officials say they are just beginning to figure out how to operate in 2007 with 2006 revenue.
The county spent 17 million in 2006. Overall spending this year has been set at 17.6 million. That's up because of the cost of helping juvenile criminals, jailing adult prisoners and insurance. The commissioners gave the main county offices the same amount for this year as last.
But officials this week said a revenue squeeze was nothing new.
County Auditor Nancy Milliken said, "I am one worker short in my bookkeeping department, and I have no money to fund the position."
Milliken said she annually looks at her finances and determines whether she can afford a cost of living raise to her workers. If she does not have the money, she said, she doesn't give a raise.
When finances have been tight in the last two years, she has cut the bookkeepers back to four days a week. She also cut the county weights and measures inspector back to four days a week.
Sheriff's department
Sheriff David Smith said it's too early to tell how his finances will shake out.
His department in past years has cut three deputies and four dispatchers. The deputies have been off the job for two years.
"We've cut every corner there is to cut here. Historically, we've been very frugal," Smith said.
The department normally has two deputies on duty per shift. Some police departments in the county have four or more officers on a shift, the sheriff said.
The sheriff said he can't increase fees the department receives for various duties because the fees are set by the state.
Nick Barborak, who was recently appointed the county treasurer, said he was just beginning to make a spreadsheet to examine his expenses.
His seven workers, before he took office, approved a contract calling for a 3 percent pay increase this year along with a longevity bonus.
Before his appointment, Barborak had been an assistant prosecutor. He said he did not think his position had been filled by county Prosecutor Robert Herron. The prosecutor could not be reached.
Jim Hoppel, chairman of the commissioners, said, "As much as possible, we're trying to keep spending under control."
Lower revenue
The county collects a 1-percent sales tax that brings in about 8 million a year. Hoppel said that for January, the tax brought in 1 percent less than last year. That's a reduction of 81,000 to the county's general fund.
The commissioners, as an office, have cut back. The county had two maintenance men until one recently retired. That left one worker to clear sidewalks and parking lots during last week's storms.
Hoppel said the county long ago began buying paper in bulk for all offices. It buys at least 40 cases of paper at a time, and sometimes 80 cases at once, if the price is right. The paper is stored in the courthouse, and offices pick it up as needed.
Officials are looking at other ways of cutting costs, such as reducing copying charges.
Hoppel said, "I just hope we don't get any unexpected bills."
wilkinson@vindy.com