Mahoning Co. commissioners, Judge Belinky reach settlement

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Judge Mark Belinky

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County commissioners today reached a settlement with Probate Judge Mark A. Belinky that will cancel the judge’s lawsuit against the commissioners concerning his budget.

After a 10-minute executive session today, the commissioners voted to transfer $200,000 from the general fund administration category to the probate court, to bring the court’s general fund budget to $890,000 for this year.

Because of the settlement, the judge said he is canceling the layoff of 13 of his 17 staff members he had scheduled to take effect Sept. 19.

The commissioners had allocated $694,833 from the general fund to the probate court for this year. The judge then filed a mandamus lawsuit in the 7th District Court of appeals to enforce his demand for the $915,715 he said was necessary for proper operation of his court.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com