Hiring of administrator to come soon

Commissioner Anthony Traficanti has performed the administrator's duties for the past year.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners are ready to hire a new administrator, and one of them says a desirable candidate is in their midst.
"In my eyes, until someone comes along who's better, George Tablack is very well qualified for the job," Commissioner David Ludt said Wednesday. Tablack, a former county auditor, is now director of the county's Office of Management & amp; Budget.
The county administrator's job will be advertised in The Vindicator and elsewhere locally, but not statewide or nationally, Ludt said. The ads are being taken out at the request of Commissioner John McNally IV, who wanted to follow a hiring process, he said.
McNally objected to Tablack's hiring last November, saying it occurred after commissioners had interviewed other candidates but decided not to fill the job for lack of money.
The administrator's job is important and should be posted statewide, McNally said Wednesday. He hopes candidates from within and outside the county will apply, he added.
No one since 2003
Mahoning County hasn't had an administrator since December 2003, when Gary Kubic left to become administrator of Beaufort County, S.C. Joseph Caruso was named assistant county administrator and served until February 2005, when new Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said he would assume the administrator's duties to save money.
Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro ruled last April that a commissioner could act as county administrator but couldn't accept the title or pay of the administrator's job.
The administrator, who reports to commissioners, directs the day-to-day activities of departments that are under the commissioners' control, administers the budget, oversees compliance with commissioners' policies and supervises office employees.
Traficanti has "done a great job, but I think it's overwhelming," Ludt said of the administrator's job. "I see the stress on everyone." Traficanti also is president of the board of commissioners. He couldn't be reached to comment.
More stable finances
The county's finances are more stable now, which makes it possible to hire an administrator, Ludt said. Commissioners were grappling with lost revenue from a defeated 0.5 percent sales tax issue in November 2004. Voters approved the sales tax last May, and tax collection began in October.
Kubic's combined annual salary and benefits were about $100,000, Ludt said. Salary is listed as negotiable on the county's job posting, but Ludt said commissioners haven't yet discussed a pay range.
The deadline to apply is March 3. Job-seekers, including current county employees, must fill out applications. Qualifications are a bachelor's degree in public administration, accounting or a related field, plus a minimum of five years' experience in public administration or finance.
shaulis@vindy.com