MCTA receives auditor’s award

MCTA receives auditor’s award

YOUNGSTOWN

For a second-consecutive year, the Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association has received the Auditor of State Award after an audit by the office of Ohio Auditor Dave Yost.

“This second award recognizes our continuing efforts to implement and maintain effective and efficient fiscal policies and procedures to properly spend and account for all funds entrusted to MCTA,” said Bert Cene, director, in a press release.

“We are once again pleased to be acknowledged for the diligence with which MCTA carries out its fiduciary responsibilities in accomplishing the mission of serving the Mahoning and Columbiana County work- force needs.”

The Auditor of State Award is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit, which must include a timely filing of their financial reports.

The audit report cannot contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies or questioned costs.

Gasoline price stalls; increases coming

NEW YORK

The surge in gasoline prices has stalled around $3.92 per gallon, but experts caution that more increases are coming.

Many refineries still haven’t undergone a seasonal maintenance period that will force them to produce less gas. That will tighten supplies in some parts of the country, especially in the Great Lakes region, and push prices higher.

“In about two weeks, we’re going to see more refineries go into maintenance, and prices are going to creep up,” said Patrick DeHaan, a retail price expert with GasBuddy.com. DeHaan expects the national average to rise to between $3.95 and $4.35 per gallon by the end of April.

Gas prices have been steady in the past week, with the national average adding just over a penny per gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. At one point during the winter, the average rose on 39 out of 40 days. It’s up 65 cents since Jan. 1.

Fed officials worry job gains could fade

WASHINGTON

Federal Reserve policymakers are worried that recent strong gains in hiring could fizzle if U.S. economic growth doesn’t pick up.

Minutes of the Fed’s March 13 meeting show that members expressed those concerns before sticking with a plan to keep interest rates at record lows until at least late 2014.

A couple of members said they want to take further steps to boost the economy if conditions worsen or inflation remains tame, according to the minutes, which were released Tuesday.

The Fed sketched a slightly sunnier view of the economy after its last meeting, largely because of the best three months of hiring in two years. But members noted that there have been similar bursts of hiring in the past two years that ended up fading.

Vindicator staff/wire reports