CINCINNATI -- A debate over $350,000 in nonprofit funding ended with a compromise Wednesday.
An addiction treatment center will still receiving city funding, though less than in prior years.
The city of Cincinnati has helped fund the Center for Addiction Treatment for the past 30 years. But about a decade ago, that funding process was transferred to an outside committee.
Initially, the Human Services Advisory Committee denied funding to the center as part of this year's budget -- even as Cincinnati and Hamilton County battle an epidemic of heroin addiction.
"This weekend people will die because of the heroin epidemic," Councilman Kevin Flynn said.
According to the committee, the center didn't meet the priorities to reduce homelessness and improve workforce development and support.
Eventually, council members agreed on a motion splitting $350,000 and giving the Center for Addiction Treatment $87,500.
"Maybe no one loves it, but you're not frankly punishing one good community agency to reward another," Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld said.
