Council debates director’s salary

The administration in Youngstown wants the
salary cut to save money.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — City council members decided more discussion is needed before they set the salary of the vacant park and recreation director position.

All seven council members attended Monday’s council park and recreation committee. Several of them disagreed with the city administration’s proposal to set the job’s annual salary at $57,000.

Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st, said that proposed salary was too low, and suggested it be $60,000.

Others want a range based on experience and qualifications.

The salary must be set before the city’s Civil Service Commission can hold a test for the job. The commission won’t advertise until late March so council has time to decide.

A director would be hired in mid- to late April, said Jason Whitehead, the mayor’s chief of staff/secretary. He’s served as interim park and recreation director without additional pay since May 2007.

The city administration wants to reduce that annual salary from $70,794 to $57,000 to save money.

But some council members say they want the salary to be more.

Also, the city’s park and recreation commission wants input on the salary of the director, said Denise Warren, its vice chairwoman who attended Monday’s council committee meeting.

Hiring a director is the park and recreation commission’s responsibility. But the salary for the job is determined by council and the board of control, consisting of the mayor, law director and finance director.

The commission will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday to discuss a proposed salary for the director. But council members stressed that the final decision on the pay amount is in their hands.

The only decision made Mondaywas to set another meetingbefore the salary amount is determined.

McRae abruptly retired as director in May 2007 after the park and recreation board met behind closed doors to discuss a disciplinary matter related to him.

Tiffany Chavers, the commission’s administrative assistant, filed a lawsuit last month against McRae and the city.

She is accusing the former director of exposing himself to her and other inappropriate sexual conduct while riding in a city vehicle. McRae served as director for eight years and previously spent a decade as the city’s athletic director.

skolnick@vindy.com