Trumbull County MetroParks funding still at risk, no vote set
Only weeks remain for the Trumbull County commissioners to make a decision on the funding of the Trumbull County Metroparks.
The decision on the funding is still ongoing, weeks before the board said they would have to close operations.
Commissioner Denny Malloy is hoping to have future conversations with the park's board before making a decision. But the other commissioners say they're shocked it has not been put on the agenda for vote.
“It should be soon. Yeah, I am surprised it's not on the agenda for this meeting. I personally believe that the MetroParks needs to be funded,” said Rick Hernandez, Trumbull County Commissioners president.
The request from the park board comes as budget concerns are being discussed by commissioners.
After extensive budget cuts for the first half of the year, Trumbull County commissioners are discussing what departments need for the next six months. Despite the ongoing concerns over the budget, commissioners say the situation is improving.
“Collections are up over a million dollars now. But we've cut a lot out of everybody's budget. So, we're not going to hand that money out to anybody yet. We're going to take it, and put it into the general fund and see where the next few months go,” said Tony Bernard, Trumbull County Commissioner.
But the Metroparks board says their outlook is not so positive.
Still, a vote has yet to be scheduled.
Malloy is standing by what he said at a previous meeting. He feels that the Trumbull County MetroPark’s Board should be asking for less because of recent cuts.
“They said they made cutbacks. They cut services, so where’s that extra money?” said Malloy.
The parks insist they've already cut their request from previous years and are at bare bones. Two of the commissioners say it's time for a vote.
“We just need to move ahead. You know, we need the parks open. You know, this is summertime coming and we have to make sure the grass is being mowed and the bike trails are being taken care of,” said Bernard. “They were in last week and I thought it was going to be on the agenda this week, but I'm ready to vote for it.”
Despite this skepticism, Malloy insists the parks will be funded, and will be given what they need.