( Cincinnati ) - Mayor Aftab Pureval has submitted his proposed budget to City Council. The Mayor says his spending plan for next year is balanced even though the city can no longer rely on post-pandemic funds from Washington to boost the bottom line.
The general fund budget calls for spending close to $600 million next year with $61m going toward police and fire protection. The Mayor says the city will also be adding workers in the public services department to help with snow removal and filling potholes.
The Mayor says the budget also addresses another major complaint from citizens about homeless camping in city parks. The budget provides money for the city to acquire property in Queensgate to convert it into a daytime center for people experiencing homelessness. It would give them somewhere to go to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
This is the first year that the city has increased funds to spend from the sale of the railroad. Nealry $35 million of that money is earmarked for street and bridge repair. That was the campaign promise to voters who decided on the railroad sale.
The Mayor and City Manager's budget recommendations go to City Council which has the final say on how the city spends its money