Building department consolidation talks continue

Building department consolidation talks continue

YOUNGSTOWN

The city is already discussing a consolidation of its building department with Mahoning County and could have a deal in place before Oct. 1, Mayor Charles Sammarone said.

The city’s board of control, of which Sammarone is chairman, approved a contract extension today to have the county’s building department inspect new construction and building improvement projects in Youngstown. A three-month deal recently expired, and the two sides agreed to extend it through June 2013 with specific provisions.

The first provision was for the two to enter into consolidation talks by Oct. 1. Sammarone said the two sides started meeting late last week.

The deal also calls for approval of a consolidation by Feb. 1, 2013. Sammarone said Thursday that he expects a deal by Oct. 1.

The board also accepted a $25,000 grant today from the Youngstown Foundation to help off-set the cost of a $250,000 ongoing study to evaluate and improve how city government operates.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com