County to take over Youngstown building department

County to take over Youngstown building department

YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s board of control approved a plan today to have Mahoning County take over its building department, effective Monday.

The city department has one employee, who will receive a 14-day layoff notice on Friday.

Having a fully staffed city building department would cost about $450,000 to $500,000, Mayor Charles Sammarone said. Instead, it’s easier and cost effective to have the county take control of providing building permits and enforce building codes, he said.

Also today, the board agreed to spend $1,169,500 to replace the three elevators in the city-owned 20 Federal Place office building. The work will start in a month and take about a year to complete, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of the city’s department of public works.

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