Back in March of 2025, a Mahoning County judge ruled in favor of the city in a case between it and former Clerk of Courts Sarah Brown-Clark. Now, Brown-Clark is appealing that ruling.

According to court records, Brown-Clark filed an appeal to Judge John Durkin's ruling on Wednesday, April 9.

The appeal stems from a lawsuit from Brown-Clark, who served as Clerk of Court from 2000 until 2023 seeking $28,298 in back pay.

Brown-Clark argued that she was entitled to 85% of the Municipal Court judge's salary citing a law applicable to cities with populations exceeding 100,000.

However, Judge Durkin ruled that Youngstown's population is below 100,000 and that the Municipal Court's expenditures surpassed its revenues.

According to Judge Durkin's ruling, state law stipulates when a city's population is under 100,000 and the court's expenditures surpass its revenues, the clerk's salary is to be determined by the city's legislative authority.

Brown-Clark's last term as Clerk of Court lasted from 2018 until 2023. Her salary was reduced in 2019. Brown-Clark argued that reducing a city employee's salary in the middle of their term violated Ohio's constitution.

However, Judge Durkin ruled that the reduction was to comply with state law and that the formula used to calculate Brown-Clark's salary remained unchanged.

You can read more bout Judge Durkin's initial ruling in our related coverage below.

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