Mahoning Co. jail meeting Wednesday with federal judge

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County officials will be in federal court in Cleveland on Wednesday, seeking permission to close half the jail and lay off one-third of the sheriff’s department’s staff due to the county’s financial crisis.

City and county officials and lawyers for inmates who won a lawsuit concerning jail crowding will participate in an informal, closed-door status conference with U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster.

The meeting follows Friday’s mailing by Sheriff Randall A. Wellington of letters to 101 staff members giving them the required two-week advance notice that they’re to be laid off, effective March 28.

Wellington said the cuts are necessary because George J. Tablack, county administrator, projects the sheriff’s department will lose between $4 million and $5.7 million due to declining revenues from taxes and payments for federal prisoners. The sheriff spent $17.5 million last year, and his projected full-year budget for this year will be about $11.8 million.

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