Planning commission asks to create Office of Economic Development fund to accept CIC donation

Trumbull County planning commissioners asked the Board of Commissioners on March 25 to establish a new Office of Economic Development fund (fund 0.082) so the county can receive donated money from a dissolved local Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).

Nick Hoggins, speaking for the Trumbull County Planning Commission (which houses the county’s Office of Economic Development), said the Warren-Trumbull CIC recently voted to dissolve and that its remaining funds were intended for county economic development. The planning commission requested a fund to accept and disburse those monies legally and transparently; staff said the new fund would not create new positions and would simply provide an accounting vehicle to accept grants, gifts and contributions for economic development purposes.

Commissioner questions focused on whether the CIC’s attorney had cleared the transfer. Hoggins said the CIC’s counsel was still reviewing the transfer but that planning staff had reviewed statutory duties (including a reference to section 307.07) allowing the office to accept funds for economic development and wanted the fund established so that, if the transfer is approved, the county could accept the donation quickly. Commissioners asked staff to confirm legal review and to bring back final transfer paperwork and any proposed restrictions on how the funds could be spent.

Ending: The board did not take formal action at the workshop; planning staff will return with documentation from the CIC’s counsel and any required legal language so commissioners can act if the transfer is approved.