Columbus City Council will hold three public hearings on a $1.74 billion capital improvement budget proposed by Mayor Andrew Ginther to fund public safety and neighborhood buildings, fire equipment and infrastructure.
The budget includes $23 million for a police substation in the Hilltop neighborhood and a new north side fire station. The budget also has $37 million for street paving, $25 million for roadway improvements and $14 million for pedestrian and bikeway projects.
The budget includes more than just infrastructure. There is $10 million for a new fire apparatus, $50 million to increase new and rehabilitated affordable housing units and $5 million to track illegal guns.
Ginther said in a press release that the budget reflects the city's top priorities for the next year.
Kathy Owens, the city's Director of Finance and Management, said the budget maintains the city's reserves and tries to maintain the a high credit rating for the city.
"The size and scope of our capital budget reflects the strength of our financial position, our fiscal discipline and our stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Owens said.
The first public hearing is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Scioto Southland Community Center. The second hearing is scheduled to happen Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Howard Community Center. The third hearing will be virtual and is scheduled for June 13 at 4 p.m.
José Rodríguez, the Director of Communications for Columbus City Council, said there is no deadline to pass the ordinance for the budget, but the council hopes to take a vote on it before going on recess this summer.
