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LISBON – Columbiana County cities, villages, townships and libraries may receive slightly more state money next year from the Local Government Fund and Library & Local Government Support Fund.
The Columbiana County Budget Commission approved the distribution formulas for both funds during a brief meeting Monday morning, also approving the list of county amended certificates signed by the members since the last list was approved on March 4.
The estimated amount for distribution for the LGF for 2025 totals $3,126,181, which is an expected increase from the estimated $3,108,383 for 2024. The distribution is based on an alternate method which gives 50 percent to the county, gives all the entities a base of $15,000 and a percentage based on population, then gives $15,000 to the county park district.
Amounts for the townships ranged from $21,644 for Franklin to $97,971 for St. Clair Township and for the villages ranged from $16,169 for Summitville and $48,097 for Wellsville. For the cities, the largest city, Salem, is expected to receive $141,615, with $120,872 for East Liverpool, $75,761 for Columbiana and $65,618 for East Palestine. East Palestine is still listed on the document as a city even though it's a village.
The libraries in the county will split an estimated $4,451,461 for 2025 based on several factors, include square footage and circulation numbers. That's an increase over the 2024 estimate for distribution of $4,451,461.
The expected allocations include: $1,054,996 for Salem; $906,762 for Columbiana; $559,548 for East Liverpool; $556,432 for Lisbon; $505,240 for East Palestine; $501,234 for Wellsville and $332,969 for Leetonia. Alliance and Minerva, which are partially in the county, are expected to receive $14,244 for Alliance and $20,031 for Minerva.
County Budget Commission meetings have always been advertised and held in public, with anyone welcome to attend, but due to recent changes in the law, the commission must "provide reasonable advance notice of the hearing to all political subdivisions eligible to participate in the fund and shall take public testimony from any such political subdivision that wishes to testify."
The new rule was outlined in a letter sent to all political subdivisions by county Auditor Nancy Milliken inviting them to the meeting. Milliken serves as one of three members of the Budget Commission and as secretary. The other two members are county Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino and county Treasurer Bryan Blakeman, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Representatives from the Columbiana, Salem, Lisbon and East Palestine libraries attended, along with representatives from Wayne Township and New Waterford. They indicated they appreciated the invite, but made no other comments.
The commission acknowledged receipt of 2025 budgets from all the entities and set a tentative meeting for Aug. 29 to sign them.