Mayor hires finance person to help thru April

YOUNGSTOWN — Mayor Jamael Tito Brown hired a retired certified public accountant today as an “executive on loan” who will help with a variety of finance-department services.

Michael Abouserhal of the Cleveland area was selected today for the job. He’ll start next week and be paid $150 an hour up to $25,000 and work for the city through April 30.

The appointment came at the recommendation of the state auditor’s office, Brown said.

Abouserhal will assess the city’s financial condition, evaluate the proposed 2018 budget, review the long-term budgetary forecast and help find a finance director.

Abouserhal retired in July as vice president of finance and business services at Cuyahoga Community College and previously worked as chief financial officer for Cleveland Public Power, executive director of the Ohio Lottery Commission and as assistant director of finance and controller for the city of Cleveland.