Youngstown council OKs budget and sets priorities

Youngstown council OKs budget and sets priorities

YOUNGSTOWN

City council members approved this year’s $151,591,293 city budget, saying it provides the money needed for many priorities.

Council voted 7-0 on Wednesday in support of the administration’s recommended budget.

“We’re putting money into economic development, which is something we really need,” said Councilwoman Janet Tarpley, the legislative body’s finance committee chairwoman.

Also, the budget includes $900,000 for residential demolitions, a top priority of council and the administration.

The city will look to increase that amount, said council members and city Finance Director David Bozanich.

The money is likely to go toward the match needed to obtain money from the state attorney general’s housing demolition program.

The attorney general’s office will make $75 million available to communities throughout the state.

It’s a portion of the state’s $335 million share of a national settlement with the five-largest mortgage companies over foreclosure abuses, fraud and improper practices.

The attorney general’s office is expected to provide requirements for the program soon.

“We’re prepared to get as much of that money as we can,” said Tarpley, D-6th.

Tarpley and Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, vice chairman of the finance committee, said they are pleased the city finished the year with $43.95 million in income-tax collection when projections in early 2011 had the figure at $41.12 million.

The projection for this year is $44.9 million.

The city ended 2011 with a $1,666,021.68 surplus in the general fund.

“Because of tax revenues, there’s extra money for items like housing demolition,” Drennen said.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com