YOUNGSTOWN Budget disappoints city street official

The street superintendent asked for $650,000 more than he got.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The street superintendent got significantly less than he wanted, but the police and fire chiefs are satisfied with their shares of this year's $3.1 million capital improvements and equipment budget.
"I only requested what I felt that we needed to adequately provide for and deliver the services that I had planned for," said Street Superintendent Calvin Jones at council's Wednesday night meeting.
He said he asked for about $650,000 more than the $1.29 million his department received. Jones said he wanted to buy 10 snow-plow trucks -- four more than the six he is now authorized to buy -- to improve snow removal on the city's 1,000 miles of streets. Jones said he hopes that next year he can buy some additional brush and weed cutting equipment that he asked for but didn't get.
Police department: Police Chief Richard Lewis said he got what he wanted, both in the police budget of $125,200, and in the 911 center budget of $215,300.
The police capital improvement budget includes $80,000 for elevator improvements, $8,000 for a new police dog and $10,000 for a cruiser to carry the dog, and $80,000 for four other police cars. The 911 center budget includes $60,000 for replacement of 14-year-old dispatching consoles.
Fire department: Fire Chief John O'Neill said he's satisfied with the fire department's $163,000 share, especially since it includes his first priority -- $100,000 for a down payment on two pumper trucks.
The Park and Recreation Commission, which was not represented at the meeting, will get $498,000, which will pay for numerous items, including improvements to Stambaugh Golf Course and athletic facility improvements at many city parks.
City Council President Charles Sammarone said council can approve additional capital expenditures later this year should they become necessary.
Councilman James E. Fortune Sr., D-6th, finance committee chairman, noted that the budget includes a $252,984 contingency fund, which can be used for items not yet designated. Last year's capital improvements budget expenditures totaled $2.96 million.