City finances prevent purchase of Tasers

The police department’s fuel costs are on pace to be twice its budgeted amount.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — The city won’t buy Tasers for police officers this year and don’t plan to sign a contract with Mahoning County to enforce its tougher pit bull terrier law.

Though some council members question whether officers need Tasers, the police department’s financial issues sealed the deal on not buying the items this year.

The police department has spent $388,000 on gas for its vehicles so far this year, said city Deputy Finance Director Kyle Miasek, with the expectation it will spend $90,000 to $100,000 more the rest of the year.

That would be almost twice the department’s annual fuel budget of $250,000.

To help offset some of that additional fuel cost, Miasek asked city council’s safety committee Wednesday to not approve the purchase of 50 Tasers at a total cost of $50,500.

The gasoline increase is twofold, Miasek said.

Gas prices are higher than last year.

Also, a computer system installed earlier this year at the city gas pumps at its street department showed the system it replaced was giving inaccurate lower gas usage readings, Miasek said.

The police department has the largest vehicle fleet of any city department so the incorrect readings impacted it the most, he said.

Even without the Taser purchase, the police department will probably end the year with a deficit, Miasek said, adding that his goal was to make that shortfall as small as possible.

The news didn’t please Police Chief Jimmy Hughes.

The chief said he compromised by asking for only 50 Tasers when he wanted 150, and followed the proper budget process, yet the department isn’t getting them.

“Next year will be the same thing,” he said referring to the department’s not getting Tasers. The city administration and council will consider the Taser request next year, Miasek said.

The other expenses in the police department are on target with their budgeted amounts, Miasek said.

Council members also question whether officers need another weapon because they already carry pepper spray, a nightstick and a gun.

Also at the meeting, the safety committee heard from dog owners who oppose a city law that took effect Sept. 15 that, among other things, bans the future ownership of pit bulls after that date and requires properly licensed pit bulls to be on a leash no longer than 4 feet.

But the discussion was moot because the city law isn’t being enforced.

The city learned last month from Mahoning County that state law requires a written contract with the county dog warden to enforce the new law.

After the meeting, Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, the safety committee chairman, said he doesn’t anticipate the city’s entering into a such a contract.

skolnick@vindy.com