CSB replacement levy tops issues in Trumbull County

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

The only countywide levy on the ballot Nov. 2 will be the 2-mill, five-year replacement levy for the Trumbull County Children Services Board.

Because it is a replacement levy, it increases the amount of money it will generate for the board — $2.7 million more per year than it currently produces — for a total of $7.6 million in 2011 and about $6.8 million the next four years.

It decreases in the second year because of the state’s phaseout of the personal tangible property tax in 2011, said Marcia Tiger, CSB director.

Tiger gives the following reasons why the agency needs additional money:

CSB will lose about $1.1 million starting in 2012 from two separate levies as a result of the loss of tangible personal- property taxes paid by businesses that the state has phased out.

A $500,000 cut in funding from the state that occurred during the summer of 2009 and is likely to continue because of the state’s ongoing financial problems.

A $300,000-per-year increase in the cost to provide mental-health services to children who have to be treated outside the county.

A $200,000 increase in the cost to keep children in their own homes. These costs are increasing because of poor area economic conditions and the agency’s need to provide additional financial help to those families.

A fact sheet provided by Tiger says the agency has reduced the number of employees since 2005 from 185 to 166, has had a 2.03 percent average annual increase in operating expenses since 2005 and held health-care cost increases to 4.25 percent per year since 2003.

The ballot contains a variety of requests to renew and replace levies with Bazetta Township seeking two replacement levies and a renewal (roads, police and fire).

Cortland is asking for a change in the charter to require council members to attend at least four of every six meetings per quarter and to prevent someone from missing three-straight meetings.

Trumbull County ballot issues

Trumbull County Children Services: A 2-mill, five-year replacement levy for support of children services and the care and placement of children, to raise $7,679,330 annually.

Bazetta Township: A 0.8-mill, five-year renewal levy to provide and maintain fire protection, to raise $102,527 annually.

Bazetta Township: A 0.6-mill, five-year replacement levy to provide for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges, to raise $100,499 annually.

Bazetta Township: A 0.6-mill, five-year replacement levy to provide and maintain police protection, to raise $100,499 annually.

Brookfield Township: A 2-mill, continuous additional levy to provide for the general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges, to raise $261,515 annually.

Cortland: 11 proposed charter amendments, including one that sets attendance requirements for council members — they would have to attend at least four of every six meetings per quarter and must not miss any three consecutive meetings.

Cortland: A 2-mill, continuous, replacement levy to provide and maintain police protection, to raise $298,592 annually.

Girard Free Library: A 1.5-mill, continuing, additional levy for current expenses, to raise $218,694 annually.

Hubbard Township: A 1.75-mill, three-year renewal levy to provide and maintain police protection, to raise $164,416 annually.

McKinley Memorial Library: A 1.5-mill, five-year additional levy for current expenses, to raise $390,537 annually.

Niles: A 1-mill, five-year renewal levy to provide funds for the parks and recreation department, to raise $159,721 annually.

Champion Local School District: A 1.5-mill, 10-year renewal levy to provide funds for adding to, renovating, remodeling, rehabilitating, furnishing and equipping school buildings, to raise $125,853 annually.

Howland Local School District: A 1-mill, five-year renewal levy for general permanent improvements, to raise $614,648 annually.

Hubbard Exempted Village School District: A 4.75-mill, five-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $1,047,214 annually.

Liberty Local School District: A 3.1-mill, five-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $740,680 annually.

Lordstown Local School District: A 5.2-mill, five-year renewal levy, to raise $770,000 annually.

Lordstown Local School District: A 5.65-mill, five-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $841,327 annually.

Mathews Local School District: A 2-mill, five-year additional levy for general permanent improvements, to raise $307,350 annually.

Newton Falls Exempted Village School District: A 4.6-mill, five-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district, to raise $585,011 annually.

Braceville Township Precinct C: Shall the sale of beer, wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sundays at Riverview Golf Course, 3903 state Route 82?

Hartford Township Precinct A: Shall the sale of beer, wine and mixed beverages be permitted for sale on Sundays at Five Points Country Convenience, 8430 state Route 305?

Niles Precinct 4G: Shall the sale of beer be permitted for sale on Sundays at Niles Fuel Plus, 140 W. Park Avenue?

Source: Trumbull County Board of Elections