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Struthers to hire auditor to examine jail
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
In the wake of an inmate hanging death last fall, the city will hire a consultant to audit the city jail and develop a plan recommending possible changes.
City council voted at its regular meeting Wednesday night to authorize Safety-Service Director Ed Wildes to enter into a professional service agreement with Said Consulting Services for an audit and development of an action plan.
The ordinance sets the cost of the service at no more than $7,000, to be paid from the Safety Service Director budget category.
At Mayor Terry Stocker’s urging, council agreed to pass the ordinance as an emergency, which means it can take effect immediately rather than after the usual three readings over the course of several council meetings.
During caucus, Councilman at-large Joseph Rudzik questioned the mayor regarding the cost and whether council could take more time to consider passage.
Stocker responded stating, “It’s time-sensitive, guys. I have to be honest with you. Honestly, there’s liabilities involved, and that’s all I’m going to comment on that.”
Law Director Dominic Leone said he agreed with Stocker’s recommendation to pass the legislation as an emergency.
When questioned further by Rudzik, Stocker said, “We’ve had five hangings in this city [jail] ... and I don’t want another one, and I want to make sure we’re doing things the way we’re supposed to be doing [things].”
The most recent hanging death occurred in September 2015 and resulted in disciplinary action against two captains for failing to follow protocol.
“That liability is not going to sit on my back,” Stocker added. “It’s going to rest with council. I’m asking for it to be passed under emergency because that’s how important it is.”
Auditor Christina Bohl said she believed the cost would be justified because of recommendations the consultant will make regarding how the city should best use its resources.
“I actually believe it will save us money,” Bohl said.
Council voted approved the measure unanimously. Rudzik stated he was satisfied with the mayor’s answers to his questions.
In other business, council voted to appropriate $10,321,850.16 for the 2016 fiscal year. That money includes about $4.4 million for the general fund.
In 2015, the city appropriated $9,525,043 total, including $4,281,533 to the general fund.
During his report, Mayor Stocker noted a carryover of about $1 million in unencumbered funds from 2015, though he stated about $200,000 of that money came from net profit payment, which is not a predictable revenue source.
Additionally, animal-rights activist Jason Cooke addressed council, asking the lawmakers to consider drafting legislation to explicitly prohibit tying animals outside for extended periods of time under harsh conditions. He also asked them to consider revising a city ordinance that specifically designates pit bulls “vicious dogs.”
Ruth Charles, a Struthers resident, also spoke, voicing her concerns about Mill Creek MetroParks’ spending of tax dollars and whether it values its employees. Mahoning County residents pay property taxes to the park district, which includes Yellow Creek Park here.
The mayor presented members of the Struthers High School bowling team with plaques in honor of their success. The team came in first at the district level and placed eighth statewide.