Friday, May 13, 2005
The special master said everyone is cooperating to resolve jail issues.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- By the end of the month, Mahoning County officeholders will tell the federal judge overseeing jail conditions if there is a way to speed up collection of a half-cent sales tax.
Last week, voters approved the tax that brings in roughly $13 million each year and helps fund, among others, the sheriff's department. The tax won't be collected until October and funds won't be available until January 2006.
The sheriff was allocated a budget this year of $7.5 million; he asked for $16.9 million. The slashed budget resulted in layoffs after a successful inmates' class-action lawsuit over jail conditions.
Toledo attorney Vincent M. Nathan, who is serving as special master for the jail, met recently with county officials to discuss passage of the tax and the impact it will have on the Mahoning County jail. Nathan is acting as a fact finder for U.S. District Judge David D. Dowd Jr., who is taking steps to make the overcrowded and understaffed jail constitutionally sound.
Nathan, in a report filed this week in Akron federal court, said Mahoning County officeholders would prepare a report by the end of the month outlining any options they may have to accelerate receipt of sales tax revenue. He said the county auditor will take the lead on preparing the report.
Quotable
"In the meantime, jail officials will continue to abide by the emergency release policy," Nathan said in his report. "When more information is available about the availability of funds to employ additional staff to permit an increase in the [jail] population, the special master will convey this information to the court."
In March, 54 deputies were laid off because of a lack of funds.
In April, Judge Dowd halted the planned layoff of 62 more deputies and set the jail population at 296. It can hold 564.
Inmates are being released via a 13-step criteria established by the common pleas judges.
Commissioners have not said where the money will come from to pay the 62 deputies who were to be laid off last month.
Commissioner Anthony Traficanti, board president, said Thursday that the county is looking into borrowing money or "robbing Peter to pay Paul." The latter means the money would likely come from other departments.
To borrow money, the county auditor is working with bond counsel and the state auditor, Traficanti said.
The commissioner said that, as he understands it, there are no staffing changes or recall of deputies planned. Money needs to be found to pay the 62 deputies to maintain the status quo, he said.
Nathan, in his report, told Judge Dowd that all parties are cooperating to resolve jail issues.
The special master, in a related matter, turned in fees and expenses for March 28 through May 5 of $7,016, and Judge Dowd approved payment, court papers show.
meade@vindy.com