Mahoning County Commissioners question deputy clerk of courts raise

Mahoning County Commissioners are planning to discuss a $36,000 raise given to the deputy Clerk of Courts. It's a raise that comes just four months after she started the position. 

Geno DiFabio, Mahoning County Commissioner, said the raise is concerning, it's out of the commissioners' control.

“Is it concerning? Yes. Is there anything we can do about it at this point? I don’t see it,” said DiFabio. “Every public official has their own purview as to who they hire and how much they pay them. But I thought it was a little high for that position.”

Deputy Clerk of Courts Jennifer Ciccone was given a $36,000 raise in April. 

According to the Mahoning County Auditor's office, Ciccone's pay started at $120,000. That amount went to $156,000.

Ciccone was also given $10,799 in retroactive pay. 

DiFabio said he has already spoken with Clerk of Court Michael Ciccone and Jennifer Ciccone about the raise, and is planning on having more meetings about the raise.

Carol Rimedio-Righetti, Mahoning County Commissioner, said she also plans on having further discussions about the raise.

“They have to have it in their budget. I don't know if they do or do not. It's an elected official. We will be having a staff meeting with the clerk,” said Rimedio-Righetti. 

DiFabio pointed out that Jennifer Ciccone is making about $60,000 more than the former deputy clerk.

“The former chief deputy was about $90,000 a year I think, so there’s some questions people are having from different office holders, I mean, people in the county,” said DiFabio.

DiFabio and Rimedio-Righetti both said commissioners do not determine how much a department employee is paid.

After the budget for the department is approved, Michael Ciccone chooses how that money is used. 

Also in April, Ryan Kadel was hired as director of operations in the department. The auditor's office said his pay is $100,006.

Michael Ciccone and Jennifer Ciccone say they are not related. 21 News reached out to both Michael and Jennifer Ciccone for comment, but did not hear back.