Columbiana Co. officials ask for money that's not there

LISBON — Columbiana County officials are asking for millions of dollars in 2008 that the county won’t have.

“They are requesting $21 million next year,” Commissioner Jim Hoppel said Wednesday.

Those spending figures will have to be cut, although not right away. The proposed spending is in the county’s general fund, which runs most offices.

County officials this year expect to have $14 million in the fund. They estimate that the fund in 2008 will have $18 million.

The last time county spending was anywhere close to $18 million was in 2005, when $19.6 million was spent.

The commissioners earlier this year enacted a continuous 0.5 percent sales tax. It will bring in about $4 million a year. The county also collects a 1 percent sales tax voters approved that brings in about $8 million a year.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.