PERRY TOWNSHIP–The board of trustees approved the townships annual tax budget for fiscal year 2026 in its meeting Monday.

Fiscal Officer John Volio said that, as always, the annual tax budget is a best estimate which will be updated to reflect the township’s actual revenues and expenses at the end of the year in place of the current estimates. He also joked that the township submits the annual budget so the county can ensure that “we’re not putting the township in bankruptcy.” Volio said that he is projecting the township’s expenses and revenues next year to remain similar to this year, with a projected general fund revenue of approximately $464,000, a surplus of approximately $64,000 from the townships projected expenses of approximately $400,000.

“It’s our best guess, but it gives the county something to take a look at to make sure we’re staying within what we should be,” said Volio.

Trustees also approved a resolution authorizing an alternative method of apportionment of Local Government Fund monies to be distributed in 2026. This is the second of two routine resolutions passed by communities across the county, with trustees previously approving a resolution to exclude the approval of the city of Salem, which would otherwise be required as the largest city in the county in their June 9 meeting. In that meeting trustee Jim Armeni said that every municipality in the county has approved a similar ordinance for over 20 years, and that the alternative apportionment distributes Local Government Fund money equally between all municipalities in the county.

Other financial matters approved included the annual resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the Columbiana County Auditor; and the required annual testing of approximately 6,700 feet of fire house by Waterway of Southwest Pennsylvania for $2,100.

Board of Trustees Chair Steve Bailey said that he had spoken with administrators from the Salem City School District and Salem’s City Law Director Brooke Zellers and the necessary paperwork for the upcoming annexation of the approximately 67-acre property which will be the site of the district’s new K-8 school building should arrive soon.

“Hopefully by the end of this week they’ll have the maps done and everything from their attorney that will be coming to us. They’re trying to expedite it, they kind of got behind on it, the schools did, so if we’re able to do an agreement with the city on this allowing them to annex in like we’ve discussed in the past then they’ll be able to move forward and be in good shape,” said Bailey.

During his report Zoning Inspector Dan Bowers said that he had issued eight permits so far in June and four violations, and that June has been “kind of a slow month.” He also said that he had driven around the township Sunday to follow up on the status of high grass violations, noting that so far enforcement mostly has not needed to be escalated beyond calmly discussing the matter with property owners.

During his report Trustee Tony Ieropoli said that the joint Pinelake Road paving project with Green Township had been completed, and that the township had gotten 21 two-ton loads of grindings from the project at a cost of $4,200

“It turned out well and we had a good relationship to work with Green Township on that,” said Ieropoli.

The board of trustees will meet next at 4 p.m. July 14.