Mayor Ginther Releases Proposed 2022 Operating Budget
Mayor Andrew
J. Ginther today released his proposed 2022
General Fund budget. Despite significant financial impacts and
uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and draft remote work
legislation in the Ohio General Assembly, the City of Columbus – through sound
fiscal management – is presenting its largest-ever operating budget, totaling
more than $1 billion for programs, services and priorities that directly
benefit residents and neighborhoods.
“The City of
Columbus is on strong financial footing,” said Mayor Ginther. “We have not been
without challenges – financially and otherwise – but, with care and precision,
we have protected meaningful programs, avoided crippling cuts and are actually
investing more in city services and our residents than we ever have before.”
Mayor
Ginther highlighted the following investments as part of his budget priorities:
- More than $660 million to support the
Department of Public Safety, including additional police and fire recruit
classes as well as funding to implement the updated Comprehensive Neighborhood
Safety Strategy
- More than $2 million for programming
and operating expenses at the Hilltop Early Learning Center
- Additional staffing and services to
expand support for the Department of Development’s Small Business Program
- $5 million in Human Services Grants
for social services organizations that provide vital support for vulnerable
residents and neighborhoods
- Funding to keep community centers
open six days per week and expanding Recreation and Parks staff to better
support summer programming and events
- Significant investments in refuse
vehicles and equipment to continue to counter illegal dumping and help keep
Columbus neighborhoods clean and vibrant
- More than $10 million for Sustainable
Columbus, including energy and water efficiency in Opportunity Neighborhoods, a
clean-energy workforce program and a Green Fund to support energy
sustainability efforts among residents and nonprofits
In addition
to the funding announced as part of the new operating budget, the city has also
leveraged nearly $140 million in federal stimulus dollars to strengthen
initiatives central to improving quality of life for Columbus residents,
including affordable housing, rental assistance, utility assistance, child care
and youth summer programming. The 2022 General Fund budget aligns with and
advances many of the same policy priorities.
The City
Charter requires the mayor to present a balanced budget to City Council on or
before Nov. 15 annually. Columbus City Council will now begin budget
deliberations, including public hearings, and is expected to approve an amended
budget in early 2022.
The full
budget can be viewed at: columbus.gov/2022budget.