Bonuses achieve new-found popularity for Mahoning County workers

YOUNGSTOWN

The salaries of some highly compensated Mahoning County employees have been padded with a new trend: A bonanza of bonuses ranging from hundreds of dollars to the $5,000 lump sum paid last year to Randall Muth, county children services executive director.

More than 250 lump-sum bonuses totaling $165,400 have been awarded to 181 Mahoning County employees in nine departments over the past five years, according to a payroll spreadsheet supplied in response to a Vindicator public records request.

The newspaper sought all bonuses not tied to a labor contract ratification.

In fact, the county response reveals bonuses have achieved a new-found popularity. The number of bonuses awarded was just seven in 2010, but it has mushroomed to 139 thus far in 2015.

The bestowing of bonuses accelerated with awards so far this year to all 112 juvenile court employees, a select group of 14 members of the auditor’s office staff, and some other smaller groups of county employees.

County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains said he is displeased with bonus payments to county government workers.

“I’m very angry about it ... It came as a big surprise to me, and I think it’s wrong,” to give bonuses to county workers, he said.

“In 18 years, I’ve never heard of bonuses,” for county workers, said Gains, who was first elected prosecutor in 1996.

Read who got what in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.