Y'town panel rehires Abouserhal as financial consultant

YOUNGSTOWN

The city’s board of control approved a contract to rehire Michael Abouserhal as a financial consultant to help Youngstown through its struggling financial issues.

The board approved the contract Thursday to pay Abouserhal up to $25,000 through June 30.

Abouserhal, who will be paid $150 an hour, will assess the city’s financial condition, evaluate the proposed 2019 budget, evaluate the long-term budgetary forecast, help with the selection of a finance director and provide advice on what the city will do regarding the possibility of having to pay about $5.5 million from its general fund for money the state auditor’s office said it inappropriately spent from its water, wastewater and sanitary funds for economic-development projects.

Abouserhal, a CPA and a former Ohio Lottery Commission executive director, will evaluate how the questionable use of that money will have a long-term impact on the city’s finances.

Read more about the situation in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.