Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Traficanti said some officeholders are 'in denial' concerning layoffs.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners again urged officeholders to start making plans to lay off personnel as soon as possible as no more money is expected for the general fund.
Commissioners led the way, approving a resolution at their Tuesday meeting that seven custodians in the facilities and management department will get their pink slips March 18.
The letters notifying the custodians of their furlough were sent Tuesday, said James Petraglia, the county's human resources director. The secretary in that department is expected to retire.
The custodians are members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1156.
Facilities and management is one of the general fund departments commissioners oversee.
Commissioners passed a resolution approving further employee reductions in the form of "layoffs or job abolishment for the general fund and general fund-related departments."
Commissioner Anthony Traficanti, board chairman, said the resolution gives general fund departments the chance "to start the process of layoffs" if they haven't done so already.
"We've seen very little movement in this area [layoffs]," Traficanti said. "It appears some officeholders are still in denial. We just don't have the money."
Another tax vote
Traficanti repeated that unless the county budget commission approves an amended certificate of revenues for this year, the $39.9 million commissioners appropriated to all general fund departments in February is all the money the county has to spend.
Commissioners pared $53.9 million in requests to $39.9 million. The county lost about $14 million in revenue when the half-percent sales tax expired Dec. 31, 2004.
Commissioners tried twice to get voters to renew the tax, but voters turned down the measure both times. Commissioners have placed the sales tax back on the ballot for the May 3 primary. It will be for five years.
Despite the fact no additional funds are forthcoming, at least three general fund departments -- the board of elections, the recorder and the trial division of common pleas court -- have all met with commissioners and asked for more money.
The board of elections says it needs an additional $336,000 to fund two elections this year -- a countywide primary in May to accommodate a vote on the sales tax, and the general election in November.
Elections board officials say they may have to sue the county to get the money.
Court funds
Judge Maureen A. Cronin, administrative judge for common pleas courts, said the courts are discussing the budget with commissioners.
Of particular concern is the courts' judicial general fund, a portion of which is used to pay attorneys to represent indigent defendants. The 2005 request was for $1.6 million, but the final appropriation was $1.2 million. The courts also requested $2.1 million for the rest of court operations, but received $1.7 million.
The courts have the authority to order commissioners to meet their full budget requests.
Clerk of Courts Anthony Vivo also has said his $1.28 million appropriation is insufficient to perform his office's mandated services. He also is contemplating a lawsuit to get more money.