Youngstown officials hope improved economy improves city's bottom line

Youngstown officials are counting on an improved economy to balance its general fund this year.

That includes:

• Saving about $500,000 through employee attrition.

• Increasing its tax revenue projection by $1 million.

• If needed, selling and leasing city assets to raise about $1,375,000.

“Every budget is based on a set of presumptions,” Mayor Jay Williams said today after city council passed the 2010 budget. “That’s what a budget is — it’s a set of presumptions. This budget was not based on any more presumptions than any other budget in the past five years.”

Council and the administration plan to closely monitor the budget and make a decision in June or July if it needs to sell or lease any assets to keep the city out of debt.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com