Tablack considered for budget director

The news came as a surprise to Commissioner John McNally IV.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners are scheduled to vote today to hire a budget director whose name has been synonymous with county politics and finances for decades.
The commissioners' agenda for their regular board meeting today includes a resolution to appoint George J. Tablack as director of the Office of Management & amp; Budget.
The county's auditor also was George J. Tablack, 48, originally of Campbell. Tablack resigned last July after more than 18 years on the job to become chief financial officer for Palm Beach County, Fla., one of the largest counties in that state.
Commissioner John McNally IV said he was told Monday morning by Commissioner David Ludt that the appointment would be a topic of today's meeting. Asked if Tablack the former auditor and would-be budget director are one and the same, "I assume so," McNally said. He referred other questions to Ludt, who could not be reached to comment. The third commissioner, Anthony Traficanti, also was unavailable.
Jobs advertised
The county had advertised about two months ago for a budget director and a budget specialist, or analyst. At least seven people were interviewed for the budget director's job, but "the commissioners decided they would not fill the position at that time," McNally said. Ryan Gerek was hired as budget specialist and began working a few weeks ago, he said.
McNally declined to say whether he would vote for Tablack's appointment.
McNally also did not know what the new budget director's salary will be, he said.
Tablack made $79,745 annually as Mahoning County auditor.
The county has operated without a budget director for nearly two years. Elizabeth Sublette resigned in March 2004 after two years to return to the private sector. She had earned $62,000 per year as budget director.
Before Sublette, Mahoning County hadn't had a budget director for four years.
Conciliatory tone
Michael V. Sciortino, whom the Democratic Party appointed as auditor after Tablack resigned, said he'll work with whomever the next budget director is to address the county's financial deficit, which he called "terrifying."
Sciortino said he's not concerned that Tablack will run for auditor in the 2006 Democratic primary election.
"I can't worry about politics or whether it played a part in the appointment," he said. "I can only hope that good intentions are there to work with this office and for the good of the county."
When Tablack resigned last July, he had said the Palm Beach County job was "an opportunity presented to me that I had to pursue."
Tablack's reason for returning to the Mahoning Valley is unclear, and news of his potential return was just as surprising to South Floridians as it was to local officials.
"Unless he lost his job in the last few days, he still works here," said Palm Beach County Administrator Robert Weisman.
Tablack could not be reached to comment at his office in Palm Beach County.
shaulis@vindy.com