First labor contract is passed

Office employees will pay 10 percent of health insurance premiums.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners have approved the first labor contract for recorder's office employees.
Recorder Ronald V. Gerberry told commissioners Thursday the three-year agreement includes annual raises of 1 percent, 1.25 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.
The contract also calls for employees to pay 10 percent of their monthly health insurance premiums without a dollar cap -- something commissioners have said should apply to all county workers.
Contract language also gives the county the right to change or adjust benefit levels as needed, Gerberry added. Also, a new employee who transfers from a government office in another political subdivision can't carry over unused sick leave, he said.
The department, which has eight full-time employees, is responsible for all records pertaining to land ownership.
911 panel chosen
Commissioners also appointed five elected officials to serve on a 911 planning committee that will oversee implementation of cellular 911 service in Mahoning County. Appointees are Commissioner David Ludt, Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Poland Village Mayor Ruth Z. Wilkes, Boardman Township Trustee Robyn Gallitto and Jackson Township Trustee Olin Harkleroad.
Walter Duzzny, director of the county's Emergency Management Agency, said that group will appoint a technical advisory committee to review a plan for cellular 911 service that must be submitted to Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for approval.
Cellular 911 service will link computer-aided dispatching and the county's master street and address guide with Geographic Information Systems technology to enable dispatchers to pinpoint a cell phone user's location within 150 meters (495 feet).
Funding will come from monthly 911 service fees that the state government already collects from more than 5 million private cellular service subscribers in Ohio.
shaulis@vindy.com