Council to push for jail staffing

STRUTHERS -- City council is expected to approve a second reading today for an ordinance petitioning the Mahoning County commissioners to provide the necessary money and staffing to fully utilize the Mahoning County Justice Center.
In discussing the resolution at council's last meeting, Mayor Daniel Mamula said the main reason the county sales tax was renewed in May 2005 was because of a promise by commissioners to fully operate the jail. At this point, one-third of the jail is not in use and the other two-thirds is understaffed, he said.
Council's resolution also says the practice of allowing convicted misdemeanants and nonviolent felons back on the street without going to jail is having a demoralizing effect on law enforcement personnel and the public. Also, it is placing additional burdens on the city's finances and manpower because the average length of stay in the Struthers City Jail, a 12-day facility, has doubled, Mamula said.
Also on the agenda for today's meeting are ordinances authorizing Safety Service Director John Sveda to enter into an agreement for supplemental mutual aid with Mahoning/Trumbull county law enforcement agencies for police protection; and authorizing Auditor Tina Morello to make various year-end general fund transfers.