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    2012 Columbus City Budget Announced

    Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman presented his proposed 2012 budget to Columbus City Council this morning. The $735.5 million city budget focuses on safety, job creation initiatives and setting aside funds to offset State cuts that will take effect in 2013.

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    “The tough choices that we and our citizens have made over the past several years combined with the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs have put us in the strong position we are in today,” said Coleman. “This is why we are able to invest in our neighborhoods today even as we set aside resources for tomorrow.”

    The Mayor’s Office provided a breakdown of the major components of the budget, as follows:

    Public Safety: $505 million or 69 percent of the General Operating Fund is allocated to the Department of Public Safety. The budget allocates $273 million for the Division of Police and $217 million for the Division of Fire. Under the mayor’s proposal, Columbus would have 1,929 police officers and 1,563 firefighters by the end of 2012, which will be the most in the city’s history.

    Recreation and Parks: The 2012 budget invests $30 million for the Department of Recreation and Parks for the city’s 240 public parks, recreation centers and facilities, swimming pools and more than 50 miles of trails. The budget invests $1.15 million in APPS—Applications for Pride, Purpose and Success—which this summer brought 2,700 teens and young adults into the city’s recreation centers. In 2012, the program will be expanded to deploy street teams directly into Columbus’ most troubled neighborhoods where they will deal directly with our most troubled youth. The city will also invest $440,000 in youth jobs to provide young people with positive experiences and opportunities during the summer months.

    Refuse Collection, Snow Removal and Recycling: $33.9 million of the General Fund is allocated to the Department of Public Service. $2 million will be invested in the city’s first comprehensive residential recycling program, which will be phased in Columbus neighborhoods beginning in late spring. Under this program, recycling and yard waste will be picked up on alternating weeks by the same trucks. Basic neighborhood services, including weekly trash collection services, snow removal, pothole repair, and bulk trash collection will continue as citizens expect.

    Job Creation: The Development Department is funded at $23 million. The city will continue to support regional economic development strategies of advanced logistics, small business development, and technology-based companies as well as the continued implementation of the comprehensive business plan for Downtown development, including strategies for housing, retail, parking, transportation and recreation. Experience Columbus will receive $6.4 million for marketing Columbus for job-generating travel and tourism, and the Columbus 2020 program, which aims to add 150,000 new jobs and increase incomes by 30 percent by the year 2020, will receive $700,000.

    Neighborhoods: Neighborhood Pride, which includes trash removal, junk car removal, graffiti removal and business engagement, will continue in 2012. Weed removal services will be increased by $200,000 for a total of $800,000. The city will also continue to operate four Pride Centers. The 2012 budget funds 63 Code Enforcement Officers.

    Public Health: The General Fund provides $19.7 million of Columbus Public Health’s overall $25.8 million budget to serve the public health needs of Columbus families and assure that core public services are maintained. Funding of $5.1 million for Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers provides neighborhood-based primary health care services at five centers to residents unable to obtain medical care.

    Housing and Human Services: The city will invest $4.1 million, including $3.2 million from the General Fund along with $900,000 from the Emergency Human Services Fund, in various community grants for health care, disease prevention, services for seniors, children and New Americans. This investment will include a focused effort on the South Side of Columbus where needs are particularly great. Columbus will also invest $4.1 million homelessness services through the Community Shelter Board and the Rebuilding Lives program.

    Fiscal Responsibility and Reform:

    • 2013 Basic Neighborhood Services Fund – The 2012 budget sets aside $10 million to prepare for cuts from the state of Ohio which will significantly affect Columbus’ 2013 budget.
    • Rainy Day Fund – Columbus continues to be the largest American city to receive the highest possible credit ranking from each of the three major rating agencies, saving taxpayers millions. Columbus will maintain its status as the nation’s best managed city by committing to the replenishment of its Rainy Day Fund. Through reduced spending Columbus is able to propose deposits that will add up to $6.7 million by the end of 2012, bringing the Rainy Day Fund balance to $40 million by the end of the next fiscal year.
    • 10-Year Reform Plan – Columbus has taken steps to save $205 million by 2019 by curbing employee benefits, eliminating unnecessary overtime and achieving other efficiencies through performance management, technology, green initiatives and other cost-cutting measures.
    • Spending Below Budgeted Levels – Since 2001, the city has spent $113 million less than budgeted. More than $9.5 million has been saved by spending below budgeted levels in 2010.

    More information will be online soon at finance.columbus.gov.

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    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
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