David E. Zofko is hired as chief building official

He's expected to help the county with building upgrades in coming years.
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners hired Niles resident David E. Zofko as chief building official for the Trumbull County Building Inspection Department.
Zofko is a professional engineer who has worked for the city of Niles and the Cafaro Corp.
Commissioners hired him this week, and he started work Monday. He will be paid $61,070 annually. The position has been vacant since the retirement of Peter Marchese on Dec. 31, 2004; commissioners in the interim hired inspectors by contract.
Begun helping already
Tony Carson Jr., county administrator, said Zofko has already begun to help the county by starting to review the needs at the county agricultural building in Cortland.
In addition to his duties with building inspections, he will be able to help the county review all of the county's buildings and make recommendations on whether to improve or replace them.
Commissioners have said the county will need improvements to a number of county buildings in the next few years. Commissioners asked all departments to submit a capital improvement request covering the next five years.
"He will be able to make recommendations on structural improvements such as roofs and heating and cooling systems, so it's working out very well," Carson said.
Zofko's background
Zofko will have two years to pass a state test to be certified as a chief building official.
Zofko has owned a construction firm the past 15 years which was formed to carry out functions of engineers, general contractors, developers construction managers and consultants.
He has been a professional engineer for Aerotech Mechanical Contractors from 1999 to the present. He was a project engineer for the Cafaro Co. from 1977 to 1983 and was Niles city engineer from 1973 to 1977 and worked for various other companies.
Other actions by commissioners
UAuthorized the spending of $87,000 from the county's Loan Guarantee Program as the county's share of the $175,000 "mini loan" for Starr Fabricating Inc., 4175 Warren Sharon Road, Vienna. The company plans to use the money for working capital needs, such as paying suppliers and other bills to meet new orders. The company employs 54 people and has committed to hiring 12 more within three years.
UApproved a proposal submitted by CDW-G of Chicago for purchase of 50 computers for the Courtview 2000 court system upgrade at a cost of $58,131.