"an anticipated $94 billion in 2006, according to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. "
From your link.
There are 12 months in a year. 9 times 12 equals 108. Therefore it's less than 9 billion per year. Or you could say it's approaching 9 billion per month, but 8 times time 12 is 96, so it's actually less than 8 billion per month. But if only about 20% off I guess this is an improvement in the accuracy for the media.

Meanwhile Iraqi security forces are steadily improving and getting larger [now 250,000]. It's possible that further lowering of US forces may be possible in next few months.