3 water districts to pay higher rate

March 7, 2008 at 1:17a.m.

Trumbull commissioners approved a $44.9 million budget for this year.

WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners have increased rates from 5.40 percent to 9.65 percent for nearly 6,200 customers in three water districts.

Rex Fee, executive director of the county sanitary engineer’s office, which sought the increases, said they are needed. That’s because of an increase in the price of treated bulk water sold to Niles by the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.

The MVSD sells water to Niles, which in turn provides it to customers in the Mineral Ridge, Howland and Southeast water districts. The Southeast district is all of Vienna Township, 90 percent of Brookfield Township and parts of Hubbard and Liberty townships.

Homeowners in the Mineral Ridge and Howland districts will realize an average $2.46 increase in their monthly bill while the increase in the Southeast district is $2.04 per month.

The rates are different in each district, Fee explained, because long-term contracts with Niles were agreed upon in varying, past years. Fee said Niles increased its rates in January by 20 percent. Customers will see that increase reflected in their March billing.

In other business during Thursday’s commissioners meeting, the board approved a $44.9 million general fund budget for this year.

County Auditor Adrian Biviano explained that this is less than a 1 percent increase over the 2007 general fund budget of $44.5 million. This year’s budget includes a $4.8 million carry-over from 2007.

Biviano said the various departments had requested to spent $47.8 million.

“We’re stable right now,” the auditor said of this year’s income and expenditures with a 1 percent sales tax that has been in place since 2003.

But Biviano and Commissioner Paul Heltzel called attention to current and possible future reductions in state and federal funds to pay for child support, Medicaid and other public assistance.

Tom Mahoney, director of the county Job and Family Services, said child support that is usually subsidized by the state and federal governments was reduced this year by $65,000. The agency spends about $1 million annually on child support.

The agency, Mahoney explained, may see decreases in child support and public assistance by July 1. The county spends about $25 million annually in these areas.

In other business, the commissioners declared this week as Trumbull County 4-H Week.

Six students who are 4-H members told the commissioners about their positive experiences in the organization and how they have worked with exchange students, planned their futures and gained patience in dealing with others.

The students are Nathan Jackson, Southington High School; Chandra Kelley and Dan Parker, Champion High School; Jenna DePizzo, Lakeview High School; and Heather Wells of Howland, a Youngstown State University freshman.

There are 673 young people enrolled in 4-H in the county with 147 volunteers serving as leaders.

Commissioners recognized Prospect Elementary in Girard for receiving the National Title 1 Distinguished Schools Recognition Award for exceptional pupil performance. The Ohio Department of Education has rated Prospect as an “excellent” school for the past four years. The award was presented by commissioners to Superintendent Joseph Jeswald and Prospect principal Joanne Carmello.

yovich@vindy.com