( Hamilton County ) - Local leaders are working to fill in multi-million dollar budget shortfalls before the new fiscal year starts on July 1. In both Cincinnati and Hamilton County, deficits of roughly $30 million are projected, and both local governments are taking public input for how they're planning on filling in the holes.
In the City of Cincinnati, there's a $32 million dollar deficit. Acting City Manager Patrick Duhaney is proposing $24 million in cuts and $10 million in new fees to balance the budget. That proposal does not involve layoffs and also includes $1 million in new spending on the city's Emergency Communications Center in the wake of 16-year-old Kyle Plush's death. Mayor John Cranley largely followed it when he presented his budget to council last week.
Cincinnati City Council's Budget & Finance Committee is holding the first of three public hearings tonight, Monday, June 11:
In Hamilton County, commissioners are dealing with a $28 million shortfall. County Administrator Jeff Aluotto has said that there's not much left to cut and that raising the sales tax is one of the few options left. His recommendation and the 2019 Budget Outlook can be found here.
County commissioners are also holding a public hearing this evening (Monday, June 11) to talk about possibly raising the sales tax. That meeting is at 6pm at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, 4700 Smith Rd in Norwood.
A statement from the county says that people who cannot attend the hearing can contact commissioners directly with questions and feedback:
- President Todd Portune, 946-4401, Todd.Portune@hamilton-co.org
- Vice President Denise Driehaus, 946-4406, Denise.Driehaus@hamilton-co.org
- Commissioner Chris Monzel, 946-4409, Chris.Monzel@hamilton-co.org