Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sewer Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Annexation demand from Newton Falls threatens $900,000 county sewer connections funding
Summary
County staff told commissioners a sudden request from Newton Falls for annexation as a condition of sewer connections could block $900,000 in ARPA funds earmarked for household tie‑ins, and the board agreed to seek a special meeting with village officials to resolve the dispute before ARPA deadlines.
County officials told Trumbull County commissioners that a last‑minute demand from the village of Newton Falls for property annexation as a condition of connecting homes to a new sewer could jeopardize about $900,000 in county ARPA funds intended to pay household connection costs.
Sanitary engineer Gary Newbrough said the county planned to issue a notice to proceed on the project’s next phase and to start construction and household connections this summer. He said the county had allocated $900,000 in ARP funds for household connections and had been working under an existing service‑area agreement with the village that did not require annexation.
“That service area agreement doesn’t require annexation,” Newbrough said. He told the board that the county’s understanding during prior negotiations was that property owners would not be required to annex to the village in order to connect.
Julie Green of the planning office told commissioners she had spoken with the village council and its law director, who raised questions about a permit fee and whether annexation was required. Commissioners said that if Newton Falls insists on annexation, some homeowners could be required to annex or to pay higher inside rates, and the county could lose the ability to spend ARPA funds if the work is delayed beyond the program deadline.
Commissioner comments stressed the urgency. One commissioner warned, “We have to get this thing moving and start spending that money for the end of the year,” and urged a special meeting with village officials so county staff could present the project history and technical documentation.
County staff said the phase‑2 work dates back many years; the design files and specifications are ready to bid. Officials also noted that the village had previously accepted outside connection rates, and questioned why an annexation requirement surfaced now. The board agreed to pause the item on the agenda and to pursue a special meeting with Newton Falls leadership and legal staff to seek a resolution before ARPA funds expire.
Next steps: commissioners asked planning and legal staff to assemble project documents and requested a special meeting with the village council. They tabled the related resolutions pending that discussion.
