Mayor Ginther Introduces 2026 Operating Budget

Published on November 13, 2025

An aerial shot of Columbus City Hall

    Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today unveiled his $1.26 billion proposal for the City of Columbus’ 2026 Operating Budget. During a time of financial and political uncertainty and amid rising inflation and labor costs, Ginther’s proposal reflects an experienced approach to managing city resources while prioritizing the safety and stability of Columbus residents.

    “This budget makes every city dollar work harder than ever to keep Columbus residents safe, stable and thriving,” Ginther said. “These investments in emergency rental assistance, domestic violence prevention, emergency right response, innovative policing programs and safe business corridors will keep us on a path toward equitable opportunity and prosperity.” 

    Mayor Ginther highlighted the following investments in his 2026 proposal:

    Public Safety

    • $851.8 million for neighborhood safety, including two police recruit classes and one fire class, which will add as many as 120 new officers to the Division of Police and 45 new firefighters to the Columbus Division of Fire.
    • $16.7 million for programming to keep Columbus youth safe, active and engaged during the summer months.
    • $3.7 million to fight the 2025 rise in domestic violence through programs including the Batterers Intervention Program, the Advocacy Crisis Team (ACT-DV) and the City Attorney’s Domestic Violence and Stalking program.
    • $5 million for innovative, collaborative policing programs including $2.9 million for Safe Streets and $2.1 million for Operation Moonlight.

    Housing Stability

    • $6.5 million for the new Resilient Housing Initiative, the City of Columbus’ first program to use city dollars to fund homelessness prevention services, access to legal counsel to prevent evictions and emergency rental assistance for low-income households on the brink of homelessness.
    • $1.2 million to administer the investment of the voter-approved $500 million affordable housing bond, as well as grants and federal resources for affordable housing.
    • $9 million in human services grants for organizations supporting vulnerable residents and neighborhoods.

    Basic City Services

    • $79.3 million for the operation of Columbus Recreation and Parks facilities – including Kilbourne Run Sports Park, opening in early 2026 – to promote an active and healthy community.
    • $20 million for staff to manage the city’s more than 4,600 lane miles, including plowing snow, filling potholes and other street maintenance.
    • $19.6 million for recycling and $34.1 million for trash collection.

    The full budget proposal can be viewed online at: https://columbus.gov/2026budget/.

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