Money issues put Campbell’s plan to hire city janitor on hold

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

CAMPBELL

Mayor Nick Phillips suggested during a caucus session that city council should cut the police chief’s pay and use the money to hire a part-time janitor.

The city stopped employing a janitor after being placed in fiscal emergency in 2003. It exited fiscal emergency in 2014.

Currently, the city uses people sentenced to community service to clean city hall. Phillips informed council last month that this system has been inadequate.

Members of city council agreed a janitor is needed but expressed concern about funding. Under a proposed ordinance, the janitor/maintenance person would have earned $10 an hour for no more than 25 hours per week.

“I got a salary out there of $65,000 for the police chief,” Phillips said. “It’s a little ridiculous. I think that salary should be amended. Take $13,000 off that salary.”

Campbell Police Chief Drew Rauzan, who earns $62,000 annually, has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 6 pending investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation into alleged misconduct. Lt. Kevin Sferra is serving as acting chief during Rauzan’s absence.

After citing uncertainty about the police chief’s position, council voted to table the janitor ordinance.

In other business, council approved payment of $3,300 to Steel Valley Contractors of Youngstown to demolish a house deemed dangerous at 76 5th Street.

Council also reviewed legislation to purchase an SUV for the police department for $17,000. It tabled legislation to buy two police cruisers from the village of Lowellville for $8,500. Lowellville is no longer interested in selling the cars, Phillips said.

Council will meet in caucus session at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss fire department equipment purchases.