COLUMBUS – Fresh off his re-election to a third term as Mayor of Columbus, Andrew Ginther unveiled Thursday the city’s $1.19 billion operating budget for 2024.
This is the largest operating budget in the city’s history and the third in a row that exceeds $1 billion, Ginther said.
Sixty percent of the recommended spending — or $753 million – is earmarked for safety, including adding add up to 150 new officers and 10 transfers to the Division of Police from other jurisdictions, as well as 150 new firefighters. That would raise the number of police officers in Columbus to its highest level ever, Ginther said.
Some of that money will also go to crime fighting efforts, like the recently created Office of Violence Prevention, the Right Response Unit and $21 million for youth programming.
“Prevention, intervention and enforcement: that’s how we make all our neighborhoods and our neighbors safer,” Ginther said while outlining the highlights of the spending plan.
The budget also calls for $19.2 million to continue expanding affordable housing options across Columbus and $10 million in Human Services Grants for 112 social services organizations that provide support for vulnerable residents and neighborhoods.
Many of the spending priorities were aimed at eliminating income and housing disparity created by past discriminatory practices, such as “red-lining,” that marginalized minority communities.
“It is incumbent upon each of us here and now to hold ourselves accountable, to right the wrongs of our collective past, and to build a blueprint by which future generations will overcome systemic challenges and create better lives for themselves and their families,” he said.
Ginther says the city will also make contributions to its Rainy Day Fund, which will bring its balance to $101 million by the end of the year.
The city charter requires the mayor to present a balanced budget to city council on or before Nov. 15 annually.
Council will begin budget deliberations, including public hearings, and is expected to approve an amended budget in early 2024.