Mahoning Co. Common Pleas Court asks for less money next year

YOUNGSTOWN — The general division of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court is requesting $2,290,013 from the county’s general fund for 2010, compared to the $2,405,000 it expects to spend this year.

The decrease was made possible by shifting certain costs from the general fund to the court’s special projects funds, said Judge John M. Durkin, administrative judge. The special projects funds are derived from court filing fees.

Among the shifted costs are the salary of an existing assignment clerk and fees for witnesses and transcripts, the judge said.

Common pleas court employees, who are paid less than their Youngstown Municipal Court counterparts, have not had any pay increases since 2006 and none are planned for 2010, he said during a Thursday budget hearing before the county commissioners.

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