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WARREN -- A large federal spending bill providing aid to local governments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing a collective $250 million to the Mahoning Valley this year and next, and much of 2021 has been spent by local government officials figuring out the best way to use the funding.
Trumbull County commissioners received the largest portion of funding in the county with $38 million, followed by Warren with $30 million, Niles with $1.903 million, Howland with $1.719 million and Liberty with $1.197 million. Every community in the county received an amount calculated in a state formula for dispersal of the funds.
The communities with the three smallest allocations are Yankee Lake with $7,856, Orangeville, with $18,200 and West Farmington with $50,700.
The money can be used in four categories: Responding to the COVID-19 emergency or addressing its negative economic impacts; making necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure; providing premium pay to eligible workers performing essential work or grants to eligible employers who have eligible workers; and lost revenue replacement for the provisions of government services due to the COVID-19 emergency.
While counterparts in Mahoning County have made some of the decisions on how to spend the money, Trumbull County commissioners still are developing a process and Warren City Council still is planning after conducting public hearings and a survey.
At a Dec. 16 Warren City Council legislative committee meeting, members discussed dedicating a certain equal amount to each ward, while another argued the city's administration should control the spending of the funds using public input.
City Auditor Vince Flask said the administration is putting together a list of priorities for the funds and suggested council members send their requests to the administration so they can be incorporated into its plans.
Councilman John Brown, D-at Large, suggested using some of the funds to continue demolitions.
Trumbull County commissioners are expected to hire an attorney to consult with on spending the funds.
Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa has proposed spending $15 million of the funds on sanitary sewer and water projects in the county's utility districts.
He suggested using $4 million to replace lost revenue and stabilize the county's budget and $5 million for broadband internet projects. His plan suggested $2 million for low-interest loans and grants for local businesses and $2 million for nonprofit organizations and communities seeking assistance.
Commissioner Niki Frenchko proposes the county create a nine-person board to oversee applications for the funds by ranking applications for the money and making recommendations to the county commissioners.
Other communities have used funds to pay safety forces or replace lost revenue.
In June, local economic development officials met with the six county commissioners in the Valley and mayors from the largest cities in the Valley, encouraging the local governments to work with them to use a collaborative, regional approach to using the money.
No commitments to the proposal have been announced.