Officials look at paying to save funds for county

Federal law allows employers to make PERS contributions for employees.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners are considering paying a required increase in county workers' pension contributions, but want to know how that would affect upcoming contract negotiations as well as next year's budget.
State and local government employees contribute 8.5 percent of their salaries toward Ohio's Public Employees Retirement System. The amount will increase to 9 percent in 2006, 9.5 percent in 2007 and 10 percent in 2008.
Employers, who contribute between 13.31 percent and 16.7 percent of employees' incomes to PERS, also will see increases in each of the next three years.
Federal law allows employers to make workers' payments on a tax-deferred basis, according to the OPERS Web site. That has been true in Mahoning County for years among its unionized employees, many of whom are in contract negotiations.
The county saves money by paying employees' PERS increases instead of salary increases, Auditor Michael V. Sciortino said Monday as 2006 budget hearings began with county department heads. Commissioners are looking for savings, since Sciortino has projected a $9 million budget deficit.
Most nonbargaining unit employees are making their own PERS contributions, Commissioner John McNally IV said. When McNally asked how many employees have had their payments picked up by the county, new Budget Director George J. Tablack said it's easier to count how many employees are making their own PERS payments.
Commissioners say they will discuss absorbing the employees' PERS increase.
"If we do this, we've raised their salary significantly," McNally said.
"If it's negotiated as part of labor agreements, we can't favor one side over the other," Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said.
Commissioners also said that action may be in lieu of raises and in light of other contract issues, which include a county proposal for more workers to contribute 10 percent of their pay toward health insurance premiums.
"I would vote to pick it up, but it needs to be part of negotiations," Commissioner David Ludt said.
The recorder's office hours
Also during budget hearings, county Recorder Ronald V. Gerberry told commissioners that his office will be open all day beginning in January. The recorder's office is responsible for all records pertaining to land ownership.
Mahoning County's recorder's office has been closing at noon daily since April 25 because of budget reductions that led to employee layoffs. The office was 31 to 40 days behind on getting paperwork to the public, Gerberry said.
An additional $60,000 from the commissioners made it possible for Gerberry to call back two employees several months ago, he said. A balance in the recorder's account allowed him to recall one more worker through the end of this year, bringing his staff to eight.
Gerberry's budget request for $718,194 includes salaries for 10 workers.
"I can't be the only county office not open. It's not right ... It's not the way we should be providing service to the community," he said.
shaulis@vindy.com