Ongoing disputes and other areas of concerns that exist between Youngstown’s law director and members of city council may be reason enough for city leaders to consider inviting voters to rethink the law director selection process.

Under the existing Youngstown charter, law director is a fiduciary position appointed by the mayor. Frustrations recently expressed by other city officials, including council members, however, have at least one city leader suggesting a change to the city’s charter to make the post an elected seat.

We support further exploration of that suggestion.

Law Director Jeff Limbian, who got into a dispute with the city clerk over the timing of providing council legislation and acknowledged other ongoing problems, was suspended without pay last month by Mayor Jamael Tito Brown.

Following the suspension, Limbian, who also had served as city prosecutor, stepped down as prosecutor in order to concentrate on law director duties. He took a pay reduction for the move, and apologized to the clerk, the mayor, city council and the administration. Limbian added, “Measures have been initiated to ensure that such difficulties do not occur in the future.”

In his letter, Limbian also wrote: “I can assure you that the law department will be well staffed and well positioned to serve the needs of the mayor, the city council, the clerk of courts and all the departments of the administration.”

Good.

We are hopeful the reduction in duties and new focus will correct the challenges that have existed for quite some time. Still, the recent issues have shed new light on the problems, and we believe they call for closer examination, particularly on the topic of the post’s selection process.

Indeed, the role of law director, ensuring the city operates within the law, provides a service to taxpayers.

Additionally, the position of law director also must serve equally both the administration and city council.

Therein lies the rub. As separate, but equal, branches of municipal government, the administration and council don’t always see eye to eye. Indeed, public discourse and debate are a healthy part of government.

However, as a political appointee of the mayor, it’s reasonable that the law director’s allegiance more likely would favor the administration.

It’s no secret that this law director is a longtime friend of Brown and actively campaigned for him.

Tension between Limbian and members of council is not new.

During council meetings, there’s been verbal sparring between Limbian and members, with some even wanting to hire their own attorney rather than use the law director.

Also, after a November 2020 charter amendment passed that allowed the finance director and law director to have their salaries determined by city council, Brown sought to increase those wages by 15 percent each.

There was strong resistance from council to a 15 percent raise for Limbian so Brown lowered his request to 3 percent. At a Feb. 1 council finance committee meeting, it became obvious the votes for that raise weren’t there, and Brown withdrew the legislation from the Feb. 3 council meeting agenda.

Last week, several members of council and the council clerk made public their frustration with Limbian criticizing his lack of availability and his inconsistency in completing required tasks.

Council members, including Anita Davis, D-6th Ward; Samantha Turner, D-3rd Ward; Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward; and Lauren McNally, D-5th Ward, each expressed a lack of confidence in Limbian.

Councilwoman Basia Adamczak, D-7th Ward, said it seemed that Limbian did not work for council. Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th Ward, called on the mayor, presumably because of his role as the law director’s appointing authority, to correct the situation.

“He hasn’t shown he can be neutral in representing the mayor and city council (equally),” McNally said.

McNally, meanwhile, may have offered the best suggestion to rectify this conflict going forward. She suggested the city charter be amended to make the law director post an elected seat.

Indeed, many municipalities in Ohio, including statutory cities that do not operate under a charter form of government, elect their law directors. While the move would make the position more political, it also could raise the bar by making the officeholder answer only to taxpayers, thereby eliminating any allegiance or perceived favoritism to the mayor as appointing authority.

We would support further exploration of this suggestion and allowing city voters to decide on a change to the city’s charter that would make the law director seat an elected position.

editorial@vindy.com