WARREN Council to discuss details of tax job

A councilman said he's concerned about the legislation.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Legislation is expected to be introduced to city council tonight to create a position of tax administrator, with the intention of improving collections.
Alford Novak, D-2nd, said at Tuesday's finance committee meeting that all legislation changing the income tax department likely will go before council for passage after the May 8 primary.
City Treasurer Patricia Leon-Games, who oversees the income tax department, is seeking her fourth term and is opposed by John Taylor, president of Paige & amp; Byrnes Insurance.
Council voted earlier this year to make the treasurer's post part time, beginning with the new term. City officials have said a part-time treasurer will handle city investments, though a job description has not been mapped out.
Could do more: Changes to the office were proposed earlier this year after a state performance audit said the treasurer could be collecting as much as $2.2 million more each year.
Leon-Games maintains that her department has done the best it could and that the audit was based in part on incorrect information. State auditors stand behind their findings.
The proposed salary for the full-time tax administrator is about $4,100 per month, Novak said.
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in financing, accounting, public administration or a related field, knowledge of income tax laws and at least three years' experience with tax administration.
Council was also expected to introduce legislation to eliminate the income tax office in January and another ordinance putting the tax administrator and his or her employees under the leadership of the city auditor's office, instead of the treasurer.
The legislation gives no job description for tax administrator.
More input needed: Novak said more discussion is needed. "I am not prepared to vote on any of these ordinances," he said, explaining he is uncomfortable that job descriptions are not in place.
He also said the proposed salary for tax administrator is too high and there has been no discussion about Leon-Games' employees and how they fit into the plan.
Putting the tax administrator under the auditor's control concerns Novak, who said more checks and balances need to be in place.
Dan Polivka, D-at-large, suggested a citizens committee be formed to help map out job descriptions and review candidates.
John Homlitas, D-2nd, said a few council members are working on duties for both positions.