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Democratic auditor challenged by Republican CPA
YOUNGSTOWN
Michael V. Sciortino wants to build on what his Mahoning County Auditor’s Office has accomplished — regardless of being indicted on a government corruption charge.
His Republican challenger, Ralph Meacham, a certified public account- ant and a newcomer to politics, said he wants to use his 35 years of private-industry experience to seek improvements and efficiencies in county government.
“I’m very proud of the accomplishments that we have made,” Sciortino said. His campaign motto is: “Reinvent workflow and remove redundancies and waste.”
The auditor’s office performs the accounting, real-estate appraisal, information technology and payroll functions of county government. It also assures the accuracy of commercial weights and measures, including measurement of fuel dispensed by pumps.
Sciortino is running for re-election under the cloud of the indictment that alleges he conspired with others to impede the move of the county’s Department of Job and Family Services from rented quarters to Oakhill Renaissance Place, which the county bought in 2006. He and the other defendants have pleaded innocent.
“My position continues to be vindicated because, with interest and payments, we’re nearing $20 million in expenses for Oakhill,” Sciortino said, referring to the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center.
Sciortino also admitted last month he checked into an alcohol addiction rehab facility. His alcohol issue went public shortly after it was learned he was pulled over May 26, 2013, in Canfield Township by a Mahoning County Sheriff’s deputy.
He admitted he was in no shape to drive that day.
Among his accomplishments, Sciortino cites his office’s award the last seven years of a certificate of excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers’ Association of Ohio.
Despite the failure of a May attempt to renew a sales tax, the county retained this year its A+ credit rating with a stable outlook from Standard & Poors, he noted.
Sciortino also cited unification of county websites, initiation of a new labor-efficient and cost-efficient countywide accounting system, the development in 2009 of the Mahoning-Youngstown Regional Information System, and connection of local government data centers using high-speed broadband services.
“I have produced measurable results during my tenure as county auditor, but more work needs to be done,” Sciortino said.
Sciortino said his office is now working to initiate electronic document filing in the common pleas court and intends to work on emergency 911 consolidation.
“This is an office of Mahoning County that needs a change,” Meacham said, citing his experience in human resources, corporate management, investments, accounting, consulting, risk management and banking and finance.
“I perceive a serious need for trust, accountability, transparency and business experience,” in the auditor’s position, said Meacham, former chief financial officer of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I’m offering independence, and I’m offering trust. I’m offering integrity,” Meacham said, adding that he also provides the benefit of “a fresh look” at county government.
“Communities and political offices are often served best by those coming out of the private sector,” because private sector professionals are judged by stringent problem-solving and results-oriented standards, Meacham said.
Sciortino said Nov. 4 passage of the 0.75 percent sales tax, consisting of a 0.50 percent renewal and 0.25 percent additional, is necessary to maintain the county’s justice system.
“I don’t want the tax, but we probably have to have it,” Meacham said.
Meacham said he generally opposes increases in sales taxes, which he calls “regressive,” and would like to avoid future tax increases.
With a shrinking population here, county officials need to ask themselves: “Are we right-sizing government accordingly? Are we as efficient as we should be?” Meacham said. “We have to right-size the government.”
Meacham said he intends to be a full-time candidate and a full-time auditor, with taxpayers judging him by his “competency, efficiency and productivity.”
“I go to work every day, and I do my job,” Sciortino said, adding that he works more than 40 hours a week.
The county auditor is paid $89,109 a year and serves a four-year term.