Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ginther's 2020 Proposed Operating Budget

Columbus Mayor Andy Ginther today unveiled his plans for the city’s 2020 General Fund budget. Ginther told a crowd at the Glenwood Community Center that the $965 million proposal strengthens the city’s near and long-term financial positions.

“Through deposits into the Rainy Day and Basic City Services funds, while investing in shared strategic policy priorities: neighborhoods (especially our opportunity neighborhoods), neighborhood safety and public health, economic development and affordable housing, birth-to-five kindergarten readiness and education, diversity and inclusion, and innovation and sustainability,” Ginther added.

Safety remains the top spending priority with more than $647 million targeted for the Department of Public Safety.

ginther-2.mp3

“We budgeted $4.8 million to fund 70 new fire fighters and 90 new police officers to make sure that we maintain the highest number of police officers and fire fighters on our streets and in our neighborhoods in our city’s history,” Ginther said. “In addition, we’ve earmarked $1 million to fund new fire and police cadet classes to prepare young people for a career in public safety and to increase the diversity in our future recruit classes.”

Ginther’s proposal adds $1 million to the city’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing its balance to $80.6 million. The mayor set a goal of having $90 million in that fund by the end of 2024. Columbus City Council will soon evaluate the budget and hold public hearings over the next several weeks. Council will approve an amended budget in early February. Here's a link to the mayor’s complete budget plan.

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.
Related Content