The Democratic front-runner in Mount Vernon's race for mayor says he could save taxpayers more than $600,000 by immediately refinancing some of the city's bonds.

Councilman Richard Thomas has made economic policy changes a cornerstone of his campaign. At a roundtable discussion with local business owners Thursday, he laid out some of his plans.

They include reviving the position of a city inspector general to increase fiscal oversight while increasing transparency and halting what Thomas says is the city comptroller's practice of transferring millions of dollars away from essential services.

Thomas is among three candidates in the race for mayor. The others are state Sen. Ruth Hassel-Thompson and Councilwoman Deborah Reynolds.