Melfi says decision puts 10 jobs at risk

The judge said the court needs the money to meet its financial obligations.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Financial wrangling between city leaders and the court could lead to 10 fewer safety services positions here, officials say.
Judge Michael Bernard issued an order Tuesday withholding payment of $8,120 from the court's computer fund, $8,872 from the court's special projects fund and $27,379 from the court's probation services fund to the city's general fund.
The judge's order also stops future payments from the court funds to the city's general fund "except upon a direct future order from this court." Mayor James Melfi said the payments are regularly made into the city's general fund to cover the construction cost of the court building and the cost of probation department employees.
The judge's order came on the heels of a decision by city council not to supplement the court's 2005 appropriations with an additional $49,467. Judge Bernard entered a judgment entry last week requesting that the court's appropriations be raised from $800,036 to $849,503 to carry the court through the end of the year.
Council, in a 6-1 vote Monday, denied the judge's request for the additional funds. Under state law, the city is required to cover any financial shortfalls in the court.
Judge Bernard said meeting financial obligations in the court through the end of the year would be difficult without the additional money. He would not say how those obligations would be met should council stick with its decision.
Mayor's outlook
Melfi labeled the court's spending as out of the control. He said the city, which has been operating in fiscal emergency since 2001, cannot continue to finance a court that cannot balance its budget.
According to officials, the court was appropriated $600,000 for 2005 but will spend about $850,000 by the end of the year. The court is expected to generate about $550,000 in revenue by the end of the year.
Melfi said the city could have reduced its deficit by $500,000 this year, but with the potential $250,000 increase to the court's year-end budget, that deficit reduction is cut in half.
As an example of the court's spending, Melfi points to 6 percent pay increases given to 16 employees in the court earlier this year. Judge Bernard said the pay adjustments were needed to keep employees in step with inflation.
Melfi said no employees in the city should receive an increase in pay while the city is under fiscal emergency. He said the pay increases likely factored into council's decision not to award the requested additional $49,467.
Melfi also said Judge Bernard's decision to withhold the regular payments to the general fund will have far-reaching effects on the city. He said the funds account for about 10 police and fire jobs -- jobs that will have to be cut should the money be withheld.
"If he succeeds in holding the city financially hostage, it will cost the jobs of 10 safety services people," Melfi said.
He said withholding the $27,379 is particularly troubling because that yearly contribution to the general fund by the court was mandated by the state auditor's office upon the city entering fiscal emergency.
jgoodwin@vindy.com