Austintown Twp. lowers assistant fiscal officer's salary amid budget concerns

One month after Austintown Township appointed its first-ever assistant fiscal officer, leaders have reduced the salary tied to the position by more than $10,000.

Amy O'Brien, a former township union accountant, was promoted to the new role at an annual salary of $95,000. That figure has since been lowered to $82,500 following concerns over the township's budget and an unfilled union position.

"With the time that we're in right now, we want to be fiscally responsible, and our fiscal officer is doing her due diligence. We are grateful for her negotiating the new rate," said Trustee Robert Santos.

Township officials said the change will save a few thousand dollars overall.

"For us, any dollar, even $1 being spent, we want to make sure we give it due diligence before we go ahead and enact anything," Santos said.

Still, questions remain about the future of O'Brien's former job. That union role, which paid close to $83,000 with overtime, has yet to be filled.

Austintown Township Fiscal Officer Laurie Wolfe declined to say whether it will be, citing ongoing union negotiations.

"If that needs to get filled? I think it would be a concern, but again, that's ongoing negotiations," Santos said. "But I'll do everything I can to be fiscally responsible and ensure the taxpayer dollars are being utilized appropriately." 

Santos also confirmed that although O'Brien is no longer a union member, she will continue to receive union benefits in her new position.

For now, township leaders said the revised arrangement saves money, but whether that remains true may depend on the outcome of continued discussions regarding the unfilled union job.

The OPBA union executive director representing Austintown township workers said the union is "not interested in giving up the position."