Mahoning commissioners pass $16.1M temporary budget

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners approved a $16,117,448 temporary general fund budget for the first quarter of 2009.

Today, the commissioners adopted the temporary budget, rather than a permanent full-year budget, because of uncertainty as to how many revenue-producing federal prisoners will inhabit the county jail in the new year, said George J. Tablack, county administrator.

County officials are concerned about the prospect of a direct federal contract with Corrections Corp. of America to house federal inmates at CCA’s private prison on Hubbard Road. County officials fear such a contract could reduce the number of federal inmates in the county jail.

As of Dec. 3, the county had spent $62.5 million from its general fund so far this year, Tablack has said. The county’s budget commission projects general fund revenue at $59 million in 2009.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com