EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio -- The Columbiana County Port Authority adopted a 2015 budget of $5.57 million Monday night after re-electing Charles A. Presley chairman.

Fiscal officer Penny Traina reported the port authority ended 2014 $1.11 million under budget, providing the organization with a healthy surplus to begin this year.

The five-member board also re-elected Keith Chamberlin, retired city manager of the city of Columbiana, vice chairman, Traina fiscal officer and elected attorney Nick Amato of Wellsville secretary.

Brian Kennedy of Salem, a retired Marine Corps colonel, named to replace Don Crane who no longer resides in the county, took his seat. County commissioners chose Kennedy in December.

Presley appointed Chamberlin chairman of the executive committee, Traina chairwoman of the finance and audit committee, Amato chairman of the marketing, education and technology committee, and Kennedy chairman of the real estate and buildings committee.

Collectively the board will be paid $38,450 this year -- or $630 per month for the board chairman and $530 for each other board member -- the same as last year.

Salaries of the five members of the office staff (this excludes the CEO, Tracy V. Drake) were increased 2.5% to compensate for the increased cost of living. Salaries this year collectively were budgeted at $155,837, down from the $188,400 a year ago, of which only $148,237 was disbursed.

Raises will range from $702 to $1,758 more per year.  

Attorney Tim Brookes of East Liverpool remains legal counsel to the port authority.

This year’s budget is funded in part by the state of Ohio, which is providing a grant of $3 million, the balance from local sources, Drake said.

Copyright 2015 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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