Trumbull Commissioners call airport manager bonus unjustified - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

VIENNA, Ohio - Trumbull County Commissioners say during a time of fiscal restraint when other employees are faced with three year wage freezes, there is no justification for the Port Authority to give the airport manager a $7.500 cash bonus.

The Trumbull County Commissioners' response was a vote to take tax dollars away from the Port Authority

The cash bonus for Airport Manager Dan Dickten amounts to 10% of his $75,000 salary. Trumbull County Commissioner Paul Heltzel says the action by the Port Authority sends the wrong message.

"Such an increase stands out as an affront to those who have foregone any increases," Heltzel said.

So the commissioners voted to repeal one-percent of the county's bed tax that goes to the Port Authority. They say that percentage could be made up if Mahoning County would step up to the plate and pay its fair share.

"Mahoning County wake up, do your part. You promised you'd do it a year and a half ago. You haven't done it and it's time to do it," Heltzel said.

Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Ramittio-Regetti also disapproves of the bonus payment to Dickten. She said, "I don't believe that was justified right now."

But she does not accept that Mahoning County is not paying its fair share to the airport. "When you look at the percentages, I put that aside. Let's look at the amount of money that's generated by our 2% versus their 3%," said Rimedio-Righetti

Port Authority receipts for the lodging or bed tax show that in 2011 Mahoning County contributed more than $500,000 compared to some $300,000 by Trumbull County with similar margins over the past several years.

Mahoning County Commissioners have been considering a 2% hike in the county bed tax, but it is strongly opposed by the Hotel Operators Association.

Rimedio-Righetti believes it may be time for wholesale changes at the Port Authority.

"Restructure the whole Port Authority. Remove all of them and start over from scratch and just restructure everything," Rimedio-Righetti said.