Mahoning County's 2017 financial outlook is good, auditor says

YOUNGSTOWN — Despite a weak local economy, the Mahoning County government’s financial outlook for 2017 is good, county Auditor Ralph Meacham told the county commissioners today.

Evidence of a good outlook includes the saving of nearly $1.7 million through recent refinancing of county debt, a $6.8 million carry-over from 2016 to 2017 in the county’s general fund and a $1.2 million carry-over in the justice fund, the county’s policy of placing 60 percent of its casino tax revenues into a reserve fund, and efforts to contain expenses including those associated with employee health care, Meacham said.

General fund reserves total about $3.9 million for 2017, he noted.

The general fund, whose budget is $34.2 million for 2017, supports the courts and the central functions of county government.

The justice fund, whose budget is slightly more than $28 million for 2017, supports the sheriff’s, prosecutor’s and coroner’s offices and 911 emergency dispatching.

The county has maintained its A+ Standard & Poors debt rating for 2017, Meacham noted.

“We’re in good shape for 2017. I think we have prudently budgeted for flat revenues in '17, and we have further budgeted our expenditures flat for '17,” Meacham said.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com