YOUNGSTOWN Mayor: Tax OK means city won

Firefighters were to begin returning to work this morning.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The will of the city's voters, who overwhelmingly approved a half-percent city income tax increase Tuesday, is being carried out almost instantly as 11 police officers and 15 firefighters are being called back to work after layoffs.
"This is a happier day for me than any day I was elected to public office," said Mayor George M. McKelvey, who individually handed them their reappointment letters and swore them in as a group just before Wednesday's city council meeting. "It's my happiest day in public life," the mayor added.
"You know who won yesterday. You didn't win, and I didn't win. The people of Youngstown won, and I could not be happier for them," the mayor told the recalled police and firefighters.
The measure approved Tuesday by some 5,300 votes raises the city income tax from 2.25 to 2.75 percent. The $7.2 million a year in new revenue is allocated 45 percent for police officers, 35 percent for firefighters and 20 percent for capital improvements, such as street repair and equipment.
Other laid-off city employees may be called back to work if the city's revenues allow it, the mayor said. The city still has about 35 employees laid off -- about 10 of whom work in the street department, he said. Sixty employees have left this year under a buyout plan.
"We have to work together to protect this money the citizens have given us and make sure it's spent properly. We don't want to be going back in a couple of years, saying, 'Look, the money ran out,'" said Lt. Dave Cook, president of Youngstown Professional Firefighters Local 312.
"We have to use it properly, protect the people on the streets, make sure they have adequate police and fire coverage, and also make the city grow," said Patrolman Barry Ervin, president of Youngstown Police Association.
A legal process that had to be followed didn't keep the safety workers from being put back on the street almost immediately, said city Law Director John McNally IV.
Back on payroll
Most should be back on the payroll by the weekend, depending on each department's work schedule, he said. Furloughed firefighters were to begin returning to work at 8 a.m. today, and laid-off police are to begin returning at 1:30 p.m. Friday, McNally said.
Collection of the additional tax doesn't start until January and the city projects a $2.2 million year-end deficit. Nonetheless, the city can return the workers in anticipation of the revenue.
Notifications must be done, based on union contracts and civil service rules, McNally said. Workers must report back to work within seven days of being notified by certified mail or face a break in service.
The fire and police chiefs worked out schedules that outlined which workers will return and when. Then, the law and finance directors signed off on the moves. The mayor then signed the appointment letters, McNally said.