COLUMBUS – Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther on Thursday introduced his 2023 operating budget, the largest in the city’s history at more than $1 billion.
The $1.14 billion spending blueprint includes $705 million for safety services and $6 million to increase citywide recycling to once a week.
It also calls for the balance in the city’s rainy day fund to be increased to $95.2 million by the end of the year.
Other budget highlights include:
- Over $2.3 million for summer, after-school and job-readiness programming
- $3.1 million for operating expenses at the Hilltop Early Learning Center.
- Additional staff to support the Columbus Housing Strategy.
- $10 million in Human Services Grants for social services organizations that provide support for vulnerable residents and neighborhoods.
Source: Ofc. of Mayor Andrew Ginther
Along with the expansion of curbside recycling, the budget calls for more than $2.1 million to reduce illegal dumping by expanding refuse collection to include hot-spot inspections, opening two convenience centers for residents to properly dispose of hard-to-recycle items, food and yard waste, hazardous waste and bulk items; and hiring more drivers for refuse trucks.
The city council schedule deliberations and public hearings before approving a version of the budget in early 2023.