Buyouts reduce number of Youngstown layoffs, won’t eliminate them

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Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams

YOUNGSTOWN — While the city is reducing the number of police officers and is considering a buyout for its firefighters, it had to rehire a patrolman and a firefighter fired three years ago.

The number of police officers taking a early-retirement buyout was less than expected by city administrators.

Add that to the city’s struggling general fund, the poor economy impacting job creation and income tax collections, Youngstown receiving less federal stimulus money for police salaries than administrators expected, “it is likely there will be layoffs in the system somewhere,” Mayor Jay Williams said.

The mayor won’t give a time for the layoffs saying the administration is closely watching the city’s finances and other options will be attempted before employees are laid off.

Six members of the Youngstown Ranking Officers union signed up for the city’s early-retirement incentive that will pay each member a year’s base salary paid over five years. City administration officials said they were disappointed with the response expecting about 10 would take the deal.

The six leaving the force won’t be replaced.

The buyouts will help reduce the number of layoffs, but won’t eliminate them, Williams said.

Also, the city had to rehire police Patrolman Daniel Tickerhoof and Firefighter Joseph Wren, both fired in 2006 for moving out of the city. The two, who can sue the city for back pay, both earn about $50,000 annually in base pay.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com