YOUNGSTOWN New finance chief was obvious choice, McKelvey believes

McKelvey called Bozanich's knowledge of Youngstown finances unmatched inside or outside city hall.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mayor George M. McKelvey needed somebody who could handle the finance director's job, and quickly.
That's why the mayor turned to whom he called the obvious choice: David Bozanich, the city's deputy finance director.
City council swiftly and unanimously approved Bozanich's appointment Wednesday night. McKelvey said he and council agreed that Bozanich's two decades in city finance -- including time as the director in the Patrick Ungaro administration -- made him the only fit.
"It would be what we truly need right now, which is a seamless transition," McKelvey said. "We all felt the need to move quickly."
There is no provision for an interim director and he had to fill the job before Barbara Burtner leaves the post at the end of next week, the mayor said.
Permanent appointment
McKelvey considers the appointment permanent and expects that Bozanich will serve through the end of the mayoral term. McKelvey said he doesn't plan to seek another finance director for the long term, but that could change in the future.
McKelvey called Bozanich's knowledge of Youngstown finances unmatched inside or outside city hall.
Bozanich was handling economic development issues as deputy finance director. He now will juggle both duties.
Bozanich was in the finance department when the city laid off workers in the 1980s. He said he understands the difficult working climate.
The city is projecting a $1.7 million deficit and is planning dozens of layoffs that probably will be announced next month.
Bozanich said he accepted the appointment because he sees an obligation to maintain the city's fiscal integrity. Most city workers have a strong feeling of obligation, he said.
Boardman resident
Bozanich lives in Boardman. He worked for the city before residency became the rule, however, and therefore is exempt. Bozanich said he has demonstrated his commitment to the city and residency isn't an issue to him.
Managing the deficit will involve the pain of layoffs, but the city will try to ease that as much as possible, Bozanich said.
The mayor's mandate is to provide the best possible service under the fiscal restraints.
Bozanich said the city can still provide essential services despite cuts. He noted that the city once had 1,700 workers, compared to fewer than 900 today.
"By no means is this going to be easy," he said. "We have done a lot more with a lot less."
rgsmith@vindy.com