Appellate Court to Mahoning Co. Commissioners: Give Judge Belinky his budget demand

YOUNGSTOWN — The 7th District Court of Appeals today ruled that the Mahoning County commissioners are to grant the 2009 budget demand of Judge Mark Belinky of probate court of $915,715, or show cause why they shouldn’t be compelled to do so.

The commissioners allocated $694,833 from the general fund to the probate court this year — a figure Judge Belinky said was insufficient to meet the court’s needs.

The judge filed a lawsuit last week against the commissioners to compel them to provide his court with the larger budget.

Commissioners have said the budget allocations they made to all departments for this year were fair, reasonable and equitable.

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