Boardman trustees wrestle with budget woes

A 4.1-mill levy was rejected by voters last November.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — Although township trustees have made no decisions, a second levy attempt appears unlikely, at least any time soon.

“The voters have already told us what they want us to do: Not ask them for more money,” Trustee Kathy Miller said.

Voters last November rejected by about 60 percent the 4.1-mill levy that was aimed at maintaining township services, prompting speculation about the likelihood of layoffs. The levy would have generated about $4 million per year.

Last month, trustees passed a $19.6 million general fund budget for 2008 with only $15 million expected in revenue. Miller voted against budget passage.

“In the whole scheme of things, the public has told us, ‘We’re not paying for it anymore. Figure it out.’ And we haven’t done that,” Miller said.

Administrator Jason Loree said the township has two options in addressing its impending shortfall.

The first is to run through the roughly $4 million reserve until it’s gone and then address the deficit with either another levy attempt or layoffs.

The second? “Make cuts sooner rather than later to stretch the finances over further at the expense of services,” Loree said.

No decisions have been made.

Robyn Gallitto, trustees chairwoman, said the panel will schedule a workshop to review township finances and decide how to proceed. No date for the workshop has been set. After that, they’ll have to decide where to make cuts and possible ways to increase revenue other places.

“I don’t see putting another levy on the ballot until there have been some changes made in the township,” Gallitto said.

Trustee Larry Moliterno couldn’t be reached last week.

Because the township provides services, not goods, labor comprises most of the budget, so layoffs are among those likely changes, Gallitto said.

“It will be sad to lay off anyone” but it’s probably necessary in light of the finances, Gallitto said.

It’s unknown how far those layoffs will go or how they’ll be applied among departments, she said, but she doesn’t favor layoffs from the police patrol union. Several members have resigned or retired and not been replaced within the last year.

Trustees, at their last meeting, tabled a motion to eliminate pay for members of the zoning commission, board of zoning appeals, fire board of appeals and site plan review committee to trim costs. Those members received $20 per case they reviewed. That totaled about $5,300 paid to all boards in 2007.

Trustees also tabled a motion to raise zoning fees. They said they wanted to consider cost-saving measures all at once rather than piecemeal.

Even if trustees wanted to try another levy, there are only two options left for this year: an August special election or the November general election.

Two renewal levies, one for general operations that generates about $2.8 million annually and one for roads and bridges which brings in about $250,000 per year, already are planned for the November ballot.