WARREN — The final cost of a waterline extension project along Elm Road from Timberline Drive to the Bazetta Township limits was significantly lower than what was initially estimated by the county’s sanitary engineer department during public hearings.

The department originally projected service connection fees for the 69 property owners at $1,500 per property. However, when the project was completed earlier this summer, the connection fees turned out to be $838.46 per property.

Because of the lower-than-projected per property connection fee, the total combined cost the 69 property owners will have to pay will be $57,854 instead of $103,500, representing a $45,646 savings.

In addition, property owners who decide to pay for the waterline connections by being billed through having an assessment placed on their property tax billings also may experience savings, because instead of having to pay 3% per month in interest, they will pay 0% interest over the course of 20 years.

The total project cost was $2,583,152.

The county was able to use $1,322,075 from American Rescue Plan funds to help pay for it. In addition, Trumbull County Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough said he obtained a $750,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant and a $498,327.67 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency loan.

Letters detailing their costs and ways to pay for the connections are expected to be mailed to property owners.