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Columbus, OH 43215
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Council Announces $5.3 Million in Budget Amendments Targeting Columbus’ Most Pressing Concerns

Additional funding devoted to job training, early education, transit, affordable housing, and more


budget hearing

The budget amendment hearing underway on February 5, 2020.

[COLUMBUS-OH] On Wednesday, February 5, 2020, Columbus City Council unveiled amendments to the Administration’s proposed 2020 Operating Budget. The amendments direct $5.328 million across multiple areas to enhance the budget and accomplish Council's priorities. 

“These amendments support families and ensure equitable growth for our city,” said  President Pro Tem and Finance Chair Elizabeth Brown. “We are confronting challenges with bold ideas that move our city forward.”

Upon receipt of the Administration’s budget proposal in November, Council held eight public hearings to review its provisions and collect public feedback. Councilmembers leveraged feedback from that process and from their extensive community engagement throughout the year to create spending priorities in the 2020 operating budget that align with the everyday priorities of residents. Amendments are focused on building pathways out of poverty, creating good paying jobs and strengthening neighborhoods.

“Many have said, ‘show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value,’” said  Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “Council’s budget amendments clearly show our commitment to the idea that if it’s not for all, then it’s not for Columbus.” 

In a new component of City Council’s budget process, Councilmembers also gave sponsor testimony regarding items that they have personally put forward for inclusion in the budget.

  • President Hardin: Expand small business focused-policies and programs to grow our economy from the bottom up.
  • President Pro Tem Brown: Analyze the early childhood education landscape in order to increase access to affordable, high-quality services for all Columbus-area families.
  • Councilmember Brown: Fund additional EMS instructor positions in order to allow the Division of Fire to maintain their excellent standards for pre-hospital emergency care, while reducing overtime costs for uniform personnel.
  • Councilmember Dorans: Expand the capacity of the Building Futures program, which provides participants with a path to the middle class over 12 weeks by equipping them with the skills they need for a career in the region's booming construction industry.
  • Councilmember Favor: Increase capacity within the Housing Division to support the expansion of the affordable housing toolkit.
  • Councilmember Remy: Implement a language access policy that ensures every resident of our linguistically diverse city can effectively communicate with the City of Columbus.
  • Councilmember Tyson: Fund initiatives to continue the implementation of the Local Food Action Plan and efforts to improve access to healthy food, affordable food, and local food.

Council will conduct a final vote on the amended budget ordinances at the February 10, 2020, Council meeting, and send them to Mayor Ginther for his signature.

“Through this budget and throughout the year, we are committed to supporting the success of every resident in every neighborhood,”  Pro Tem Brown continued. “That means leveling the playing field so that everyone has a shot at enjoying the growth and success of our city.”

 

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