MAHONING COUNTY As budget-fund issue is delayed, criticism mounts

A budget commission meeting scheduled for Thursday was canceled.
By BOB JACKSON
and DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County officials will have to wait a little longer to find out whether there's more money in the general fund this year.
Earlier Thursday, Commissioner David Ludt had said the budget commission was going to certify at a meeting later that day that the county's fund balance had increased by $375,000, and that money could go toward a settlement with the juvenile court.
But Commissioner Ed Reese said it would be premature to allocate money before the commission certified the figure, and that there was no guarantee that the commission would meet. He turned out to be correct.
Auditor George Tablack, who chairs the budget commission, said a meeting to certify the additional revenue had been scheduled but was canceled. He would not say why it was canceled or when it will be rescheduled.
Criticized by auditor
Tablack criticized commissioners for failing to reach agreement Thursday on a possible settlement with Judge Theresa Dellick of juvenile court. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled recently that commissioners must come up with an additional $2.3 million in funding for the court this year.
Judge Dellick has said she is willing to accept less, but wants a meeting with commissioners first. Reese and Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock have refused to meet with her.
Tablack said he and Ludt have met with the judge and reached an agreement for $925,000. Reese would not go along with that, though, because there is not enough money available to cover it without the additional revenue that was to have been certified Thursday.
Also, county Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini echoed critical comments made by Sherlock about a local political organization -- saying its only purpose is to divide local Democrats and to create chaos and controversy in county government.
Press release issued
Antonini, who serves as the county treasurer's administrative assistant, issued a press release Thursday criticizing the Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts. The local political organization has called for Sherlock's resignation because of her refusal to comply with an Ohio Supreme Court ruling to provide an additional $2.3 million to the county's juvenile court system.
Sherlock fired back saying the organization's Internet message board is equivalent to a hate group's Web site.
Antonini said she commends any Democratic officeholder who fights against Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick's additional funding request, and says the judge is displaying "Republican arrogance."
"I don't know what she's talking about," said Mark Belinky, the group's president. "If she's going to suggest that Vicki Sherlock hasn't engaged in disreputable behavior then she's flat-out wrong, and she's in denial."
bjackson@vindy.comskolnick@vindy.com