BREAKING NEWS | Mahoning commissioners adopt $58.4M 2015 budget

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners this morning adopted a combined 2015 budget of nearly $58.4 million for the county’s general and criminal and administrative justice funds, which their budget director said maintains the current level of county programs and services.

That number compares to a combined total of about $56.3 million that is scheduled to be spent this year.

Except for 2 percent pay increases for staff of the county’s Veterans Service Commission, whose $1,980,534 departmental allocation is prescribed by state law, the 2015 budget contains no pay increases other than automatic step increases for length of service or raises included in previously negotiated labor contracts, said Audrey Tillis, county budget director.

The budget also creates no new staff positions, but vacancies may be filled, she added.

“This budget just brings us to a point where we stay status quo,” said Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti.

The VSC staff pay raise will follow a 5 percent pay raise given to all 13 commission staff members last Dec. 29.

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