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| Sheriff's Office Hit Hard | 10/10/2007 |
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Gerry Ricciutti continued our "Government in Crisis" coverage on Wednesday night with reaction to Mahoning County's slim budget.
With the largest staff in the county, the sheriff's office will take the hardest hit in the budget. Nearly $17 million had been requested for 2005, compared to $14.1 million which was spent last year. In the end, the department's allocation is just $7.5 million.
Deputy Glen Koontz, deputies' FOP president, says, "I don't know where we go from here. It's probably gonna mean layoffs. It's probably gonna mean we lose the federal inmates."
Those federal prisoners brought in close to $3 millions a year.
Another issue of concern is a pending federal lawsuit over jailhouse conditions. With fewer deputies working, the sheriff could be forced into sending prisoners elsewhere at the county's expense.
In the recorder's office, workers actually bring money into the county. Last year, they brought in $1.2 million and this year's allocation is $380,000.
Mahoning County Recorder Ron Gerberry says, "I'm on the bubble, let's put it that way. Can I maintain the staff, maintain the hours? I am going to run this extremely close."
But the clerk of courts insists he can't cut anywhere else.
Anthony Vivo, Mahoning County clerk of courts, says, "I hate to be in the dangerous situation where we prioritize mandates. That's a dangerous situation, when you're talking about child support checks, individuals in the county jail, the crime."
The clerk's office will get $1.3 million this year, $300,000 short of Vivo's request.
With 54 employees performing 316 different state-mandated services, Vivo now has to assess his options.
He says, "If I can't fulfill the duties of the clerk of courts, which I was elected to do, then going to court is a possibility."
At this point it is unclear whether any other office holders are going to sue the commissioners to get their budgets?
County Juvenile Judge Theresa Dellick says she will accept her budget allocation, even though it's about $300,000 to $400,000 short of her request.
In the meantime, commissioners are already taking steps to save some money.
They are asking local attorneys to perform pro-bono, or free legal services for the indigent.
They will also talk with the Mahoning County's Sheriff's Department about setting up an early retirement plan for employees.
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