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Youngstown will seek applicants for a water department management position
YOUNGSTOWN
The financially strapped city is advertising for a top position in the water department, vacant since December 2012, but the mayor said he isn’t sure he’ll fill it.
The city’s Civil Service Commission is seeking interested applicants until May 12 for the job of controller/office manager with an advertised annual salary of $58,735.
Harry L. Johnson III had that position from February 2006 until his promotion to water commissioner in December 2012. However, when made water commissioner, Johnson has continued to handle the responsibilities of his previous job.
“It’s a tall order for me to serve in both capacities with the projects we have,” he said. “It’s a lot of work.”
Johnson earns $74,388 annually, and made $65,614 as controller/office manager.
Johnson said between him doing two jobs and Ted Szmaj doing the same with two other management positions, the water department has saved about $500,000 in the past three years between salaries and benefits.
The Civil Service Commission will review the experience and education of those applying for controller/office manager and make recommendations to Mayor John A. McNally.
Youngstown is experiencing financial problems with city officials saying only essential positions will be filled.
However, the salary for this position would come from the water fund, which had a $13.8 million surplus to start this year.
“The water department isn’t having financial problems,” Johnson said. “I have no idea about the city’s finances.”
The general fund started the year with a $449,387 surplus and the finance department expects it to end 2016 with a $21,505 surplus.
McNally said he wants a hiring list for the water position, but hasn’t decided if it will be filled.
“Just because it’s water money doesn’t mean it’s free money,” he said. “I’ll make a decision after we get test results.”
Meanwhile, city council met Wednesday, but because two members – Councilmen T.J. Rodgers, D-2nd, and Mike Ray, D-4th – were absent, it didn’t have enough votes to pass any legislation by emergency measure.