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Coleman to propose 4% increase in city budget
Business First by Jeff Bell, Staff reporter
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 4:03pm EST
Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman wants to boost the city’s general fund budget by 4 percent in 2013, but some of that money would be socked away for a rainy day.
READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/11/coleman-to-propose-4-increase-in-city.html
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Columbus City Council Announces Budget Hearing Dates
(Columbus)—Columbus City Councilmembers will hold a series of public hearings to discuss Mayor Coleman’s 2013 proposed budget. Unless otherwise noted, public testimony will be accepted at all hearings. Speaker slips can be filled out the day of the hearing and general rules regarding speaking before Council will apply. The meetings will be broadcast live on CTV, Columbus’ government television channel 3 on local cable systems. All dates and times are subject to change.
Thursday, November 15, 2012 11:00 AM
Budget presented to Council
Monday, November 19, 2012
Mayor's budget ordinances appear on council agenda and tabled indefinitely pending public hearings
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 5:30 PM
Budget Briefing - Presentations by Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian & Mayor's Administration
No public speakers
Thursday, November 29, 2012 5:00 PM
Recreation and Parks and Development Committee Budget Briefings
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 5:00 PM
Finance and Management & Housing, Health, and Human Development Committee Budget Briefings
Wednesday, December 5, 2012 5:00 PM
Public Service & Transportation Committee
Wednesday, December 12, 2012-5:00 PM
Public Safety & Judiciary Committee Budget Briefing
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 5:00 PM
Budget Hearing – Public Comment
Speaker slips will be accepted until 6:30 PM
Thursday, January 17, 2013 5:30 PM
Budget Amendment Public Hearing
Monday, January 28, 2013
Council Meeting - budget ordinance on the agenda for 2nd reading, removed from the table, to be amended and tabled to February 4, 2013.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Council Meeting - anticipated passage date of budget ordinances as amended
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2013 Columbus City Budget Announced
Published on November 15, 2012 11:45 am
By: Walker
The 2013 Columbus General Operating Fund budget was presented today to City Council by Mayor Michael Coleman. The $766.1 million proposed budget focuses on safety, job creation and setting aside reserve funds for rain day funds.
READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/2013-columbus-city-budget-announced
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Press Release:
Columbus City Council Announces Proposed Budget Amendments
January 16, 2013
(Columbus)—The Columbus City Council continues to invest in strong and safe neighborhoods while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the community. Councilmembers have announced their 2013 proposed budget amendments that include an unprecedented investment in small businesses and other economic development efforts while increasing the City’s Economic Stabilization or rainy day fund.
“These budget amendments support the core mission of city government, which is to deliver crucial services in the most cost effective manner while investing in programs and services that will grow the local economy,” said Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee.
Columbus City Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian reported to City Council a carryover of approximately $7.5 million in general fund revenues from 2012. As in past years, the City Council has decided to place a substantial amount of the carryover, this year $3 million, in the rainy day fund to help Columbus pay for critical city services, like police and fire protection, during economic downturns.
“Council has committed to building a reserve fund that will protect future generations from the type of recession we have come to know all too well, and to prepare for those challenges yet unknown,” said Council President Ginther. “We are not only investing in priorities that will strengthen Columbus’ financial position, but those that will strengthen our neighborhoods, and keep them healthy, safe and strong.”
Columbus City Council will hold a public hearing to address these budget amendments and related spending priorities, Thursday, January 17, at 5:30 pm in City Council Chambers. Speaker slips may be filled out beginning Thursday morning at 8:00 am at the security desk at the Front Street entrance to City Hall. Speaker slips will be accepted until 6 pm and the meeting will be broadcast live on CTV, Columbus’ government channel 3 on local cable systems.
Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson
$325,000 Workforce Development
A key funding priority of the 2013 budget amendments is creating a more robust, well trained and ready workforce. In the past, the City Council has partnered with local agencies, such as the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation, Columbus State Community College, and IMPACT Community Action to provide the resources for numerous programs designed to give workers the technical and soft skills, such as communication and customer service, needed for the workers and businesses to succeed. This $325,000 amendment will greatly increase the City’s ability to shape a workforce necessary to grow companies in Columbus for decades to come.
Councilmember A. Troy Miller
$400,000 Small Business Incubators
Small business development is critical to a healthy local economy and President Pro Tem A. Troy Miller is working to help small companies get off the ground by establishing small business incubators to support startup firms and increase their chances of long term success. Councilmember Miller, with his experience as a small business owner, has identified four small business incubator programs that provide businesses with a range of services including financial management, marketing, and networking opportunities to help grow businesses in Columbus. One budget amendment proposed by Councilmember Miller will fund a retail incubator in the Linden neighborhood that will not only provide an outlet for area vendors, but which will improve the overall retail market in the community. Other incubators that will be supported through Councilmember Miller’s budget amendments include one sponsored by the Economic and Community Development Institute, another by the Columbus College of Art and Design, and a separate downtown technology accelerator.
Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley
$20,000 Small Business Development Assistance
The neighborhood near the Ohio State University campus is filled with a wide range of businesses that serve the needs of thousands of residents, students and faculty who live and work in the area. Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley is providing $20,000 for the University Area Business Association to help grow the organization, pay for administrative costs, and aggressively seek project funding, with a goal to offer services comparable to Capital Crossroads in the Downtown and the Short North Alliance. The group represents businesses from Southern Gateway north to Clintonville.
Councilmember Zach M. Klein
$750,000 Small Business Loan Programs
Here in Columbus, there are a number of non-profit groups that help businesses grow during the difficult first years of existence. Two of the most successful, the Economic and Community Development Institute and Community Capital Development Corporation, offer a wide range of services to startup businesses as well as small and minority companies. This budget amendment of $750,000 will support and expand microenterprise loan programs and small business loan programs in Columbus.
Councilmember Hearcel F. Craig
$10,000 Small Business Training Services
Small business owners and their employees seeking to expand proficiency in critical computer skills that will lead to future economic success will be able to tap into City sponsored training sessions with this $10,000 amendment to the budget. The City of Columbus offers a wide variety of training for programs necessary for business success including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Acrobat.
Councilmember Michelle M. Mills
$150,000 License Section in Public Safety Department
One growing segment of the Columbus economy that exploded in popularity in the last year is the mobile food industry, or food trucks. The City of Columbus has engaged stakeholders to better regulate this industry, bringing food truck owners/operators, the Safety Department, Public Service, the Health Department, and other interested parties to the table to develop easy to understand, common sense rules and regulations to help grow this industry. This $150,000 budget amendment will allow the Safety Department to hire the personnel needed to assist with the implementation of new regulations for this industry and others they oversee.
Council President Andrew J. Ginther
$50,000 Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office (EBOCO)
The mission of the EBOCO is to find ways to grow small minority, female, and veteran owned businesses in Columbus by helping them connect to the capital and resources, such as workforce training, health care, and pension programs, they need to be successful. This amendment will help EBOCO meet those goals and begin an aggressive outreach program to help EBOCO’s target clients become more competitive when bidding for non-city related projects.
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Ginther waxes optimistic on state of Columbus
By KEVIN PARKS
ThisWeek Community News
Tuesday January 29, 2013
The future for Columbus is so bright, the capital might have to wear shades. That was the assessment offered up by City Council President Andrew J. Ginther at a business luncheon last week. While it's unlikely he would have said anything less than upbeat before members of the Clintonville Area Chamber of Commerce, which serves the neighborhood where Ginther grew up and still resides, he did provide some examples of why feels the outlook for 2013 is a rosy one.
READ MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/clintonville/news/2013/01/29/ginther-waxes-optimistic-on-state-of-columbus.html
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Pending Spending Cuts Will Take Local Toll
February 28, 2013
by Tom Borgerding
89.7 NPR News Managing Editor
Some local officials say pending federal spending cuts will quickly effect state and city budgets. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman identifies $2.3 million in neighborhood and human services that could be lost. The mayor’s spokesman, Dan Williamson says the cuts could mean job losses.
READ MORE: http://wosu.org/2012/news/2013/02/28/pending-spending-cuts-will-take-local-toll/
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Columbus Area Commissions to Receive Funding Increase
Published on March 13, 2013 7:00 am
By: Walker
The 17 Area Commissions of Columbus may soon see a funding boost thanks to a proposed ordinance by Columbus City Council that is planned for discussion and approval at an upcoming council meeting. Ordinance 0667-2013 specifies that area commissions will each see an annual funding increase from $1,000 to $2,500, which is allocated in the 2013 General Fund Budget.
READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-area-commissions-to-receive-funding-increase
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Press Release:
25 Columbus Neighborhoods Selected for Capital Improvement Projects
The Columbus Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund program was created more than 20 years ago by then-Councilmember Michael B. Coleman for neighborhood-based capital improvement projects. Tonight, Mayor Coleman is asking City Council to approve legislation that will fund 44 projects totaling more than $6.8 million in 25 central city neighborhoods.
“Our neighborhoods are the lifeblood of our city, and Columbus is thriving because we’ve never stopped investing in them,” Mayor Coleman said. “New sidewalks, streetlights and bike paths in these neighborhoods will continue to life the quality of life for our residents.”
The city received 86 proposals, which were selected with approval from Area Commissions. They include:
· Sidewalks on the east side of Grandview Avenue between 5th Avenue and King Avenue
· Construct concrete sidewalks on the east side of Brentnell Avenue from Argyle to Mock Road
· Repave Smith Road from Lockbourne to Fairwood and construct sidewalks
· Complete construction of the last leg of the Olentangy Trail between Harrison Park and Trail and the Goodale Street/315 Bike Bridge and Rails to Trails connector
· Add street lights on McCutcheon from Stelzer to Sunbury
· Construct concrete sidewalks on Bar Harbor from Mock Road to Delavan
The complete list can be found at: http://econdev.columbus.gov/content_two_column.aspx?id=57987
“This program puts residents in charge of deciding how to best meet the infrastructure improvement needs in their neighborhood,” said Councilmember Zach M. Klein. “Working together with City Hall, community leaders and the UIRF program are building a safer, stronger Columbus.”
In other Council business, Mayor Coleman is also asking Council to approve legislation for a 25 percent, five-year jobs growth Incentive agreement with Spectrum Commercial Coatings, LLC. Spectrum is a full service commercial and industrial coating contractor that plans to create 30 new full-time jobs.
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