A trip into the wonderful world of Ashtabula’s city finances shouldn’t be this entertaining. And in general, it’s not, but City Solicitor Michael Franklin took the entertainment value up a notch this week.
Here’s the set-up: Ashtabula recently reduced now-resigned systems analyst Charlene Pfouts’ and Treasurer Lori Mackey’s workweek from 40 to 20 hours and took away their benefits. The Star Beacon reports that instead of looking down the barrel of a pay cut, Pftouts decided to resign. The paper says Mackey is undecided. Another city employee, income-tax administrator Marge Pavolino, had her pay cut 10%, so she will be retiring sometime this year.
So, the city will be saving money, right? About $54,000? Nope. Council passed legislation recently approving payouts of “unused sick leave, vacation leave, and longevity pay” to certain city employees who leave their jobs. According to Auditor Karen Jury, the city will now owe about $75,000 to the group. That cash will be coming from the general fund, because no dough was ever set aside to deal with the on-the-way-out-the-door payouts.
Enter City Solicitor Michael Franklin.
This article appears in Apr 6-12, 2011.
Ashtabula city solicitor profits from a lot if not all of city land deals. Especially with the schools that have been built and old schools being torn down with the land then transferred/sold to his friends and supporters.