Trumbull County auditor says office needs $143,278 to avoid layoffs

Christie Sesterick, Trumbull County auditor, told the Board of Commissioners that her office is projecting a midyear shortfall and asked the board to provide $143,277.78 to keep the office operating and avoid layoffs.

Sesterick said her office provides a large share of the general fund's internal revenue and described the shortfall and the steps already taken to reduce costs. "As of 09/25/2025, we have brought in, $2,763,337.91 to the general fund," she said, adding that her office's budget as approved in March was $3,400,000 and later increased to $3,550,000 in August. She told commissioners the office has reduced staffing from 43 to 30 since she took office and that, without additional funding, she planned layoffs that would take effect on Oct. 27 unless the board changes course.

Sesterick outlined cuts and austerity measures already in place: freezing promised pay increases, limiting overtime to emergencies, not filling three recent vacancies and absorbing some costs personally. She said the auditor's office portion of estimated general fund revenue was $3,286,600 and that the office supplies IT and other services across county government. She asked the commissioners to approve a transfer of $143,277.78 to cover the current projected variance and keep mandated services functioning.

Commissioners and staff asked clarifying questions about staffing levels, revenue sources and reserve balances. The auditor's office and county financial staff agreed to continue providing regular fund updates and supporting documents to the board. Commissioners said they would review available balances and consider placing necessary appropriations on a future agenda.

The discussion also touched on conveyance fees as a major revenue source for the auditor's office. Sesterick described conveyance fees and exemptions as a statutory revenue mechanism and cautioned that closing the office would reduce the county’s ability to generate revenue from those transactions.