Columbus City Council Members are expected to vote on Mayor Michael Coleman's proposed budget this evening at city hall. WOSU will cover the meeting and gives this preview.
The only thing certain about Mayor Coleman's budget this evening is it will be balanced - state law requires it. In an attempt to fill a $13 million budget gap Coleman, last month, laid off more than 130 city workers, cut the most recent police recruit class and instituted a five-day pay furlough for most city employees. That came on top of other service cuts announced last fall when Coleman closed an $83 million budget shortfall. It was in the last week of the year that the city's auditor informed the mayor more cuts were essential. It's unknown if the new budget will include additional reductions to workers or services.