Release from Mayor Mark Mallory's office:Mayor Eliminates Garbage Fee In His BudgetMallory proposes using city savings to weather the bad economyCincinnati – Mayor Mark Mallory officially presented the 2009/2010 City of Cincinnati Budget to City Council with his recommended changes. The most notable changes are the elimination of the proposed fee on garbage collection and homes with gaslights. The Mayor replaces the revenue from the garbage fee by tightening budgets and utilizing the City’s contingency fund.
“In order continue to provide the same level of city services, I am proposing some money saving strategies to help us weather the storm,” Mayor Mark Mallory said. “We are continuing to advance the strategies that will grow our economy and increase our future revenue.”
While cutting back and avoiding fees, the Mayor stressed that the proposed City Budget advances many of the initiatives that he has implemented during his term to build a stronger future for the city.
Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence will have additional Streetworkers to continue to improve the Mayor’s number one priority, public safety.
Census Complete Count initiative to ensure an accurate population count, leading to increased federal funding.
Citywide Comprehensive Plan conducted by the Department of City Planning to develop our long-term vision for our future growth.
City Youth Employment Programs are fully funded to invest in the future of our youth. Green Cincinnati Action Plan initiatives are being implemented to improve the health and sustainability of our city.
Economic Development Division is expanding and becoming a full department, continuing to elevate the importance of attracting businesses to Cincinnati.
In his Budget, the Mayor creates a Co-op Coordinator program connecting the City to Co-op programs at local colleges and universities creating opportunities for students to work in the City Administration. The Mayor’s Budget recommendation also keeps all recreation centers and pools open and restores funding for Community Councils to 2008 levels.
The Mayor also pays for $1.8 million in funding to Police Visibility Overtime, using the reimbursement from FEMA that the City will receive for the costs associated with the October Windstorm. The City has already paid the costs using its emergency funds.
The Mayor’s Budget replaces the revenue for the garbage fee through several cost saving strategies, including using some of the City’s contingency funds, delaying a payment to the City’s Workers’ Compensation Fund, revising estimated fuel costs for 2009, and other administrative cuts.
