Jerry L. Wolford took office on January 1, 2008.  He previously served 6 years on Salem City Council and 14 years as a Perry Township Trustee.  A life-long resident of Salem, he is a graduate of Youngstown State University and has been married 39 years to his wife Betty.  They have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren.

Responsibilities: The mayor of a city shall be elected for a term of four years . . . [and] shall be an elector of the city (ORC 733.02). The mayor shall be the chief conservator of peace within the city. He may appoint and remove the director of public service, the director of public safety, and the heads of the sub departments of public service and public safety, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as are conferred and required by law (ORC 733.03).

The [mayor] shall perform all the duties prescribed by the bylaws and ordinances of the municipal corporation. He shall see that all ordinances, bylaws, and resolutions of the legislative authority are faithfully obeyed and enforced. He shall sign all commissions, licenses, and permits granted by such legislative authority, or authorized by Title VII of the Revised Code, and such other instruments as by law or ordinances require his certificate (ORC 733.30).

At the first regular meeting in January of each year, and at such other times as the mayor deems expedient, he shall report to the legislative authority concerning the affairs of the municipal corporation, and recommend such measures as seem proper to him (ORC 733.41).

Responsibilities: The auditor of a city shall be elected for a term of four years . . . [and] shall be an elector of the city (ORC 733.10). The city auditor shall keep the books of the city and exhibit accurate statements of all moneys received and expended, of all property owned by the city and the income derived there from, and of all taxes and assessments (ORC 733.11).

At the end of each fiscal year the city auditor shall audit the accounts of all officers and departments (ORC 733.12). The city auditor shall not allow the amount set aside for any appropriation to be overdrawn, or the amount appropriated for one item of expense to be drawn upon for any other purpose or allow a voucher to be paid unless sufficient funds are in the treasury of the municipal corporation to the credit of the fund upon which such voucher is drawn (ORC 733.13).

Responsibilities: In each city there shall be a department of public service which shall be administered by a director of public service. The director shall be appointed by the mayor. He shall make rules and regulations for the administration of the affairs under his supervision (ORC 735.01).

The director of public service shall manage and supervise all public works and undertakings of the city, except as otherwise provided by law.

The director shall supervise the improvement and repair of streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, drains, ditches, culverts, the lighting, sprinkling, and cleaning of public places, and the construction of public improvements and public works, except those having reference to the department of public safety, or as otherwise provided in Title VII of the Revised Code.

The director shall manage lighting, heating, power, garbage, and other undertakings of the city, and shall make and preserve surveys, maps, plans, drawings, and estimates. He shall supervise the construction and have charge of the maintenance of public buildings and other property of the city not otherwise provided for in Title VII. He shall have the management of all other matters provided by the legislative authority of the city in connection with the public service thereof (ORC 735.02).

DIVISIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Electrical Division

The electrical division has one full-time employee on call and provides constant electrical service to all city-owned lift stations, waste water and water plants, traffic signals, and buildings.

Traffic & Safety Division

This division also has one full-time employee on call and provides constant care and monitoring of all traffic signs, barricades, and road markings.

Housing-Planning-Zoning Division

The HPZ division has two full-time employees and enforces the building codes and zoning ordinances of the city. The HPZ office also employees 2 property housing inspectors.

Street Division

The largest division, it has eight full-time, on-call employees; one foreman; one assistant foreman; and one full-time, on-call mechanic. The street division maintains 64 miles of paved streets, as well as 27 miles of both paved and gravel alleys; 1,200 feet of culvert; 41,580 feet of drain pipe; and 110,880 feet of storm sewer pipe.

Responsibilities: Review all building improvement plans and issue permits as appropriate; submit information to Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Responsibilities: The treasurer of a municipal corporation shall be elected for a term of four years [and] shall be an elector of the municipal corporation (ORC 733.42). The treasurer of a municipal corporation shall keep an accurate account of: (A) All moneys received by him; (B) All disbursements made by him. In addition to the ordinary duties of such treasurer, he shall have such powers and perform such duties as are required by any ordinance of the municipal corporation, not inconsistent with Title VII of the Revised Code, and not incompatible with the nature of his office (ORC 733.43).

The treasurer of a municipal corporation shall demand and receive, from the county treasurer, taxes levied and assessments made, moneys accruing to the municipal corporation, and debts due the municipal corporation. Such funds shall be disbursed by the treasurer on the order of any person authorized by law or ordinance to issue orders there for (ORC 733.44). The treasurer of a municipal corporation shall receive and disburse all funds of the municipal corporation and such other funds as arise in or belong to any department or part of the municipal corporation (ORC 733.46).

Responsibilities: A Department of Taxation is hereby created within the office of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make all appointments of personnel for the Department of Taxation. The Department of Taxation shall be charged with the administration and operation of this chapter, under the direction of the Treasurer (Salem Codified Ordinance 181.08f).

PURPOSE: To provide funds for the purpose of general Municipal operations, maintenance of equipment, new equipment, extension, enlargement and improvement of Municipal services and facilities and capital improvements of the City, there is hereby levied a tax upon the earnings at the rate of one percent (1%). (SCO 181.02).

HISTORY OF INCOME TAX IN SALEM:

• 1/2% income tax enacted in 1960 ($139,857 collected first year).
• Tax raised to 1% in 1968 ($651,502 collected in 1969).
• Mandatory tax filing enacted in 1986 ($1,749,006 collected in 1987).
• 6% Lodging Accommodations Tax (bed tax) enacted in 1994.
• Mandatory Registration for individuals and businesses, enacted in 2000.
• Total income tax collected during 2004: $3,715,547.35
• Total income tax collected during 2005: $3,838,512.62