Warren city budget impacted by possible hospital closure
WARREN, Ohio - The City of Warren is preparing for the possibility of a financial hit if Trumbull Regional Medical Center closes.
The hospital brings in nearly $1.1 - 1.4 million dollars in tax revenue a year. That goes into the city’s general fund which pays for all of Warren's operating costs.
“Losing that amount of money in one fell swoop would be a huge blow to the progress we’ve been making over the past seven to 10 years,” Todd Johnson, Warren’s First Ward City Councilman said.
If the city loses the hospital and the funding, administration and council members would most likely have to cut funding from other departments to balance the books.
“If we lose those jobs it’s going to be horrible,” Greg Greathouse, Warren’s Third Ward City Councilman and Chair of the Finance Committee said. “I heard it compared to the devastation when GM Lordstown closed down, that was horrible”
Council has not officially spoken about what could get cut but some members said essential services would probably not be affected.
“The citizens approved an income tax increase specifically for police, fire and roads so I would think those three areas would be at the very end of the line for any sort of reduction,” Councilman Greathouse said.
“We want to assure our residents that we’re not looking to lay off police officers or make any drastic changes at this point,” Councilman Johnson said.
If the city does lose the money and doesn’t want to make cuts, bringing in other big businesses and adding in their taxes could balance things out.
Greathouse said the entire city budget averages out to $28 million dollars a year. The portion of money that comes from the hospital is equivalent to one year of street paving for the city.
Council members said instead of planning where to possibly cut in the future they’re focused on raising enough money to keep the hospital open.
“I believe we will be able to bring together a coalition who all see the value of saving the Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Hospital,” Johnson said.
Warren City Council has already approved of up to $3 million to go towards buying and keeping the hospital going.
The Warren City Hospital group filed with a bankruptcy judge to keep the hospital open on Tuesday, August 27.
