Columbus Mayor Andy Ginther today released his proposed operating budget for next year.
Mike Foley reports.
Mayor Ginther says his $912 million proposal maintains the city’s commitment to public safety, diversity, and neighborhood development. As he noted earlier in the week, the spending plan targets $622.5 million toward public safety. Other highlights of the budget include $11 million for efforts with area commissions, My Brother’s Keeper, the New Americans Initiative, and comprehensive neighborhood planning in Linden and the Hilltop. Nearly $8 million would help code enforcement efforts regarding nuisance property violations and illegal dumping. Almost $2 million would be invested to enhance the work of CelebrateOne, the city’s effort to reduce infant mortality. The mayor has targeted $4.7 million for the Department of Education to support the number of pre-kindergarten classroom slots and increase the quality of programs. And $1.75 million would be set aside next year for the city’s Rainy Day Fund, which the city projects to be at $76 million by the end of 2018. Columbus City Council will now begin reviewing the mayor’s budget proposal and holding public hearings for residents. Council will pass a final budget early next year. Here's a link to the entire budget proposal.
