Trumbull Co. commissioners seek to renew 5-year seniors levy

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners plan to ask voters at the May 4 primary to renew the 0.75-mill, five-year seniors levy that expires at the end of 2010.

Adrian Biviano, Trumbull County auditor, says the levy would raise about $2.3 million per year, the same amount it has raised since the beginning of 2005.

The levy has paid for a variety of services for people age 60 and over since voters approved it at the polls in November 2005, such as transportation, home- delivered meals, chore services and a senior Senior Citizens Neighboring Program at the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office.

But the levy has generated controversy, especially from SCOPE, the nonprofit agency that runs senior centers throughout the county.

The county commissioners, who oversee spending of the levy money, hired the nonprofit Area Agency on Aging to handle day-to-day supervision of the agencies receiving levy money.

AAA said SCOPE was billing for services at a higher rate than it should, leading to an agreement that required SCOPE to repay $90,000.

AAA has since withdrawn as administrator over the levy.

Commissioner Dan Polivka said the levy has helped a lot of senior citizens and their families.

“There have been a few issues, but for the most part, it’s been run pretty smoothly,” he said.