LAWRENCE COUNTY Cut costs or we will, commissioners warn

The county will advertise for a new public safety director.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners are warning other elected officials and department heads to start cutting their own costs or commissioners will do it for them.
They illustrated that fact by denying Sheriff Robert Clark's request for $1,458 from the county contingency to pay deputies overtime. Commissioners did vote to allow Clark to move the money from his travel and training budget.
Clark could not be reached to comment to determine how that will affect his budget.
"I'm very concerned about this. We asked the sheriff to change procedure, whether it's asking deputies to work shifts or something else. I don't see any effort to use comp time," Commissioner Steve Craig said. "We can't contribute $1,400 per pay period for anybody's office."
Commissioners learned last month that the county is facing a $1.3 million deficit by year's end.
Starting meetings
Commissioners are starting meetings today with various departments to talk about cost-cutting measures and ways to increase revenue.
Commissioner Dan Vogler said they are looking for cooperation such as they have had recently with A. Wayne Yoho, county jury commissioner, who is working on a combined mailing for jury forms that will save the county about $12,000 per year. He also cited Harry Falls' efforts. Falls, the chief public defender, restructured his office to take on homicide cases and mental health commitments. Both were previously handled by individual attorneys hired by the county on an as-needed basis.
"Those department heads and elected officials who do not work with us to make cost savings, then we are going to have to make our own arbitrary decisions," Vogler said.
Commissioners said employee layoffs could be one method used.
"I don't think anybody is expendable, or any position, but we need to be leaner," Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said.
Commissioners say they have not set dates for layoffs.
Also on agenda
In other business, commissioners are planning to advertise for a public safety director. The job will be a combination of the emergency management agency, director of 911 and public safety. Sharyn Critchlow, director of emergency management, is leaving her position in September. The director of 911/public safety director's position has been vacant since earlier this year when Frank Janetti went to work for Mercer County.
A committee put together a job description and will review applications. The committee includes Fosnaught, county human resources director Susan Quimby, along with Mahoning Township Fire Chief Poncho Exposito, Neshannock Township Fire Chief John DiCola, Ellwood City Police Chief Bill Betts and Tina Marshall, coordinator of the EMS Lawrence County Council
cioffi@vindy.com