Criticism greets $350,000 in county raises

Revelations that pay raises totaling more than $350,000 were doled out to Mahoning County workers in January drew strong criticism today during the county commissioners meeting.

"I'm offended," Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti said.

The raises under question came in the county engineer’s office — $65,000 — and in the prosecutor’s office — $197,000.

"I was at the [Children's Services Board] meeting when they were taken to task for their raises. I'm offended for those employees," said Righetti, who took office a month ago.

Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said commissioners asked all departments to hold the line on spending.

"The public expects more of us," he said. "We have to go to taxpayers for sales taxes. It's bad timing and we should revisit it."

Commissioners indicated they will take up the matter officially next week. Among the options are to force a rescinding like with the CSB or adjust the departments' appropriations.

Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains and County Engineer Richard A. Marsico are expected to attend meetings next week.

A representative of the union that represents Mahoning County deputy sheriffs also spoke to say his members are disheartend by the recent raises in light of the many concessions they have agreed to over the years to help the county.