Costs of running local governments in the Valley skyrocket, study shows

By David Skolnick

YOUNGSTOWN — While the population in Mahoning and Trumbull counties decreased over a 10-year period, government and school spending in both counties significantly increased, according to a study of Northeast Ohio.

The Center for Governmental Research of Rochester, N.Y., conducted a $175,000 study on public spending for various foundations and organizations, such as the Regional Chamber, in the 16-county area. As part of that study, the company produced a separate report on Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Between 1992 and 2002, Mahoning County’s population decreased by 3 percent, but its per-person expense to operate its government — including the county, cities, villages, townships and special districts — and school systems increased by 83 percent, according to the study.

In Trumbull County during the same time frame, the population dropped by 5 percent. Its per-person expense for government and school systems increased by 72 percent, the study states.

“Spending per-capita went well beyond the inflation rate, and our government spending is accelerating,” said Tony Paglia, the Regional Chamber vice president of government affairs. “We need to continue to look for ways to curb our [government] spending.”

The inflation rate for urban areas of the Midwest increased by 29 percent between 1992 and 2002, according to the study.

The per-person expense for government and school systems in the 16-county region of Northeast Ohio in the study rose by 68 percent from 1992 to 2002.

The study also shows that 7.5 percent of employees in the 16-county region worked for governments and schools in 2002. That percentage is 7.7 in Mahoning and 7.8 in Trumbull.

The study used U.S. Census Bureau data with the most recent information from 2002, data that is six years old. The study states it used the 2002 data because it was the most recent information available.

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