Jefferson County commissioners discuss EGCC levy
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STEUBENVILLE-- The Jefferson County commissioners said Thursday they intend to make sure whatever the future holds for Eastern Gateway Community College, its voter-approved $1.3 million-a-year operating levy is used how and where it's meant to be used.
The state had suspended enrollment at Eastern Gateway beyond the spring semester last week, describing it as a "pause" so the school could "evaluate options to resolve ongoing financial difficulties partly due to delayed federal funding." Since then, however, EGCC Interim President John Crooks conceded the state had assumed control of all decision-making.
At their weekly meeting, the commissioners made it clear "whoever's making the decisions" regarding the school's future needs to keep them in the loop, since the levy money, as well as EGCC's Steubenville campus building, have strings attached.
Proceeds from the levy, which expires in 2026, can only be expended in Jefferson County. The money is primarily used to fund a grant program that allows Jefferson County residents to attend tuition-free for two years if they sign up right after their high school graduation, Auditor E.J. Conn said.
Commissioner Dave Maple pointed out the county had also deeded the Steubenville campus property to the school years ago for a specific purpose, "and if it's not used (the way it was meant to be used), then the Jefferson County commissioners have to get involved."
"So, whoever is making decisions needs to engage this board and make sure there's not a problem," he said, later adding that, "I don't care whose name is on the wall as long as the benefit to the citizens of Jefferson County are the same or better. I think that's where we have some say in that."
The discussion arose after Maple said he'd been asked to relay a suggestion from the Jefferson County Retired Teachers' Association that the Steubenville branch roll back the clock and "disaffiliate from Eastern Gateway Community College and return to the old name of Jefferson Community College."
He said he did reach out to a member of the college's board of trustees to discuss the JCRTA's suggestion as well as the college's situation in general, "and my position -- not knowing the intricate details of what's going on ... is if there's an option we could encourage that would leave that school as is for the benefit for our youth, our students, then we should ask people at the state level to consider that option."
Commissioner Eric Timmons said his initial reaction was that Youngstown State University coming in and offering four-year degrees would be very beneficial, "but as I look into it more, a lot of our high schools have programs (allowing students to take college-level courses while they're still in high school), and unless it's a community college they could lose that."
"I want to make sure our high schools don't lose that opportunity," Timmons said.
Commissioner Tony Morelli said the handwriting seems to be on the wall.
"I'm pretty confident that YSU is going to come to Steubenville," Morelli said. "I just don't know what their plan is, what are they going to do? Will they offer programs for our high school students?"
Conn said he's been consulting with the prosecutor's office and the state auditor's office on a path forward pertaining to the levy, saying it's critical that they know what happens "if YSU does come in, does it automatically cease? What is the law pertaining to that levy? We're the only county in the community college district that has a levy."
Maple said since taxpayers, through the county commissioners, gave that property to the school for a certain purpose, if that purpose isn't served, that's where we have to make a decision. If it's not being served, we have to do what we can to (address it.)"
He said the commissioners don't have appointments to the board of trustees any more.
"I supported that change because it looked like it would be a benefit to the school and to the community and be very, very positive," he said. "But all the indicators now are that's not how it rolled out to be."
In other business, commissioners agreed to submit paperwork for a potential Water Pollution Control Fund/Water Supply Revolving Loan account for Phase 1 work associated with tying Warren Township's troubled water system into the county's system but stressed that it doesn't mean they're actually going to do it.
"This is not authorization to accept (funding)," Maple stressed. "Any loans would have to be made by this board. This is just an opportunity to apply (in case we decide to proceed)."
"I don't want them to forget we're talking about Bergholz and Amsterdam, too," Morelli said. "We have a couple other villages that are in dire need of work."
Maple said he voted for it, "but in no way does it indicate I'm leaning toward (taking over) Warren water. It's only a consideration, in my opinion, if Bergholz and Amsterdam are included in any projects."
"We agreed to make the application, we didn't agree to take on the debt right now," Maple stressed, pointing out it's doing to be a big expense.
"I think it's $25 million or $30 million altogether, that's before you even talk about Warren," he said. "If they really want us to take over Warren, they need to realize we're trying to do the best thing (for all three communities) and we can't do all three without help."
"All three communities (need) help," Timmons said, pointing out, "This loan we moved on today, there's no obligation. We have to listen to what they tell us to do to some extent, but it's not the whole package."