Tuesday, March 23, 2010
YOUNGSTOWN — As city officials work to make up a projected $2.5 million deficit in this year’s general fund, Mayor Jay Williams said layoffs are highly unlikely.
“There aren’t a whole lot of places to cut without bringing departments to a halt,” Williams said. “Also, layoffs are an inefficient tool [to balance the budget] because of unemployment insurance.”
But Councilman Jamael Tito Brown, D-3rd and chairman of its finance committee, said, “Layoffs are definitely an option. Layoffs are on the table. The greatest cost is personnel.”
City council has had budget hearings for more than two weeks with various departments. The final hearing is Thursday.
Council will then meet at 4 p.m. March 31 to OK the 2010 budget.
For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com