The Trumbull County Board of Elections will have to “eat the costs” of the Newton Falls recall election that the Ohio Supreme Court ordered removed from the ballot.

Director Stephanie Penrose estimates the amount at “between $500 and $1,000.”

The recall vote for Councilwoman Sandra Breymaier, 4th Ward, had been scheduled for Tuesday. 

During Tuesday’s board meeting, Penrose revealed the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office “affirmed informally” that the board must absorb the costs.

Following the ruling last Thursday, board Chairman Mark Alberini said he thought the village should be responsible, but based on what Penrose was told, that does not appear to be the case although there is no confirmation from the prosecutor.

“We have not issued an opinion on this topic as yet,” is all Attorney William Danso, chief of the
prosecutor’s civil division, would tell 21 News.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled the board should not have certified the election because village council lacked a majority three votes for approval. The issue had passed with a 2-1 vote along with Breymaier’s abstention.

The fifth seat on council was vacant due to the resignation of Tarry Alberini from his at-large seat.

Mayor Ken Kline had ruled the motion passed and sent it to the board.

“I think we did the right thing and I would do it again the same way,” an unrepentant Chairman Alberini said during the meeting.

None of the board members voiced any disagreement.

Newton Falls Council meets Tuesday evening to again vote on holding the recall.

More than 200 residents of Breymaier’s ward had signed petitions for recall after she made what they feel
were derogatory comments about Mayor Kline.

The mayor said the village charter requires the recall to be held 90 days from the date petition signatures were verified, which means, he said, the recall must be held no later than July 8.