Cincinnati budget

From street paving to public safety to a future music venue, here's how Cincinnati City Council is spending your taxes in the city budget.

Cincinnati City Council voted Monday to give initial approval to the next city budget, including $2 million for the Farmer Music Center project. A final vote is expected Wednesday.

A few members have big ideas but it's not clear if they can garner enough support to push them forward.

The organizations that provide services say they can cover about half the funding for five months; they want to borrow the other half from the city and Hamilton County.

Mayor Pureval made several adjustments to the plan, like reducing the amount set aside for the Farmer Music Center and earmarking $1 million for BLINK.

"We constructed a portfolio to withstand volatility, and it's doing just that," reports an investment manager.

Cincinnati City Council must approve a budget with an estimated $29.5 million deficit in the general fund.

About $500,000 earmarked for wall stabilization and landslide correction will now go toward HVAC improvements at the police academy and roof repairs at the fleet garage.

Despite initial plans to ask voters for a income tax increase in 2026, Cincinnati's mayor now says it may not happen this year.

While all general fund departments have been asked to estimate a 5.1% cut to address a nearly $30 million deficit in the next city budget, that level of cuts is not likely for public safety.