Auditor: Bridgeport finances doing OK
By LINDA L. HULL, Times Leader Staff WriterWITH MONEY cuts coming down from the State of Ohio, the Village of Bridgeport is like all other villages and cities in the area. It is short of money but working hard to keep itself above the water.
Belmont County Auditor Joseph Pappano told Fiscal Officer Jack Morgan that the best fund the village has is the cemetery fund. He added, "It's probably because you take care of it."
Morgan explained the village is reducing spending anywhere it can. He said, "We've cut down on dispatchers, part-time police officers and anywhere that's not necessary."
Morgan told Pappano that the added $5 license plate fee that will go into effect in January should add about $7,000 to the village coffers.
Pappano reminded Morgan that salt will be needed very soon with the winter months approaching. "The salt expenses are going to be sky high this year just to maintain them. It's horrible, we were told that the cost will be about triple what they have been." Pappano added, "If we have a bad winter it's going to hurt every village, town and especially the county. Now's the time to think about it and get enough."
Andy Sutak, chief deputy auditor, said, "The Village of Bridgeport is OK. It has enough to operate and get through. It can survive like every small village in the county. But they aren't doing great."
Pappano said, "As long as the winter is mild and the sewers don't break, they'll be OK."
The Park District will only be getting $25,000 next year but Sutak commended the village for the hard work it has been doing. He said, "The district is starting to do well and some places have been made nicer by them."
Hull can be reached at lhull@timesleaderonline.com.
