Columbiana County budget commission splits over the amount of money available

The auditor was concerned the county revenue could fall if a recession hits.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

LISBON — Columbiana County officials split on a vote that either will be a good move or a bad move, depending on the economy.

The county budget commission voted Monday to increase the certification of money the county can spend an additional $700,000 for general operations.

The commission is composed of Auditor Nancy Milliken, Prosecutor Robert Herron, and Treasurer Nick Barborak.

The commission certifies the amount of money the county has to spend. The county commissioners then appropriate the funds.

The county’s 2008 budget is $18.8 million. The county ended 2007 with a $981,281 surplus.

Milliken, a Republican, wanted to certify about $400,000 of the surplus for general spending in case the economy worsens.

But Herron and Barborak, who are Democrats, certified $700,000.

The county is normally short on cash at the beginning of the year and has to wait for sales tax receipts and real estate tax collections to come in.

Milliken said, “There is not a lot of wiggle room” with the year-end cash balance.

The auditor said she watches the cash balances constantly so the county won’t overestimate its revenue.

Milliken added that she was concerned that county receipts could tumble if the economy goes into a recession. That, she said, could lead to layoffs.

But Herron and Barborak said the $700,000 was conservative enough, and there was an economic cushion of $281,000 that hasn’t been certified in case there is a recession.

County law enforcement offices in 2007 especially asked for more money this year.

Herron’s office received $1.2 million in 2007. He asked for $1.7 million for 2008 to keep up with prosecuting rising drug cases. His office received $1.3 million when the commissioners approved spending for all county offices this year.

The sheriff’s and coroner’s offices also asked for increases but got small ones. The county drug task force asked for funding for the first time and got nothing.

Herron said there are other offices, such as the county’s veterans office, that had tight appropriations for 2008.

Any additional appropriations will have to be approved by the commissioners.

wilkinson@vindy.com