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Elections board votes for concessions
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County Board of Elections has voted to require its employees to pay 33 percent of their retirement contributions as part of the agency’s cost-cutting plan.
“It’s huge. I think it’s a good start,” Chairman Robert Wasko, one of the board’s two Democratic members, said after Tuesday’s meeting.
Several board members said they believe the move might be one of the largest concessions ever made by any county department. It shows that the board is serious about maintaining fiscal responsibility, yet still being able to ensure residents will be provided with fair elections, they said.
Board members and staff will pay about one-third of their state Public Employees Retirement System contributions, estimated to save around $9,500 for the rest of this year, Wasko noted.
The four-member board also agreed to consolidate 14 of the county’s 287 voting precincts for the November election, which will save about $700 per precinct.
The plan calls for consolidating four precincts in Boardman, three in Austintown and one each in Springfield, Berlin, Ellsworth, Jackson and Green townships as well as Poland and Sebring villages.
Among the other cuts will be a 12 percent reduction in the hourly wages of part-time employees, from $9 to $8. That should save roughly $3,880 this year, the board estimated.
As a result of the concessions, the elections board should save about $95,800 for the remainder of this year. That also takes into account a $19,845 training grant the board received, Wasko noted.
Earlier this year, the agency reduced staff salaries about 25 percent, which saved the county close to $200,000 in the first half of this year, he continued.
“It’s a good plan, a fair plan, but unfortunately a necessary plan,” said Vice Chairman Mark E. Munroe, one of the board’s two Republicans.
The other board members are Clarence Smith, a Republican, and Michael Morley, a Democrat.
Also at the session were several members of the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods.
Last week, ACTION and other local activist groups told the board they opposed reducing precincts, especially before the November general election.
Nevertheless, the Rev. Lewis Macklin, ACTION’s president, said after the meeting that he was satisfied with the plan. The board “exercised good stewardship without interfering with the election process,” he added.
The Rev. Mr. Macklin said he wishes the precinct consolidation had been a last resort, but added he was glad the plan should not cause any voters to be displaced.