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Mayor John Cranley saves nearly 20 programs from chopping block

Mayor submits changes to proposed 2020 budget
Posted at 6:43 PM, May 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-16 19:45:41-04

CINCINNATI — Mayor John Cranley saved nearly 20 programs from the chopping block Thursday by restoring and adding more than $3 million to the city’s proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2020.

That was good news for the African American Chamber of Commerce, which was zeroed out in City Manager Patrick Duhaney’s proposed budget but stands to get $325,000 under Cranley’s.

SEE Cranley’s funding changes below:

“We know that budgets are a priority and there are tough choices that need to be made, so we certainly appreciate the support,” said Chamber President and CEO Eric Kearney.

Cranley said his desire was to match the money with the city’s commitment to reduce poverty and grow jobs.

“The city manager’s budget reflected basic services and he does those very well. My budget reflects the strategies to bring new jobs in, to grow the economy, which is good for everybody, and to lift the bottom up,” Cranley said.

READ Cranley's budget message.

The mayor’s budget also restores funding to Keep Cincinnati Beautiful ($400,000), a needle exchange program ($150,000), the Film Commission ($56,250), and more.

Among the additions, $200,000 in operating funds for Shelterhouse plus $150,000 from the capital budget to help transform the winter shelter into a year-round facility.

Next the budget goes to City Council, where they’ll dive into the numbers. Kearney plans to do some lobbying in the meantime.

“Now that Mayor Cranley has restored our funding, we’ve got to go talk to David Mann and eight other people on the third floor,” Kearney said.

To keep the budget balanced, the mayor said a matching sum in funding will come from the Local Government Fund, reducing vacant positions at City Hall, billboard revenue and other sources.

SEE the budget documents.

Council's Budget and Finance Committee has scheduled three public hearings on the budget:

Wednesday, May 29 – 6 p.m.
LeBlond Recreation Center, 2335 Riverside Drive

Monday, June 3 – 6 p.m.
UC Innovation Hub, 2900 Reading Road

Tuesday, June 4 – 6 p.m.
MadCap Theatre, 3064 Harrison Ave.