Columbiana Co. commissioners will try to trim $300K from 2011 budget

LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners will move forward with plans to trim $300,000 from the general fund budget despite the anticipated income of $1.3 million for oil and gas drilling on county property.

Commissioners signed a $1.3 million, five-year leasing deal for oil and gas drilling last week. The deal will allow Chesapeake Energy access to 568 acres of county land for $2,250 per acre. It will also pay 17.5 percent in royalties if and when drilling takes place.

Commissioner Mike Halleck said it wouldn’t be financially responsible to spend this one-time money for day-to-day operations when it can be used for capital improvements and infrastructure upgrades.

He said the money would be better spent on improvement projects, including replacing carpeting that was laid in the commissioner’s office in 1968 and painting the ceiling, which hasn’t seen a fresh coat since 1934.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com