COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus City Council begins holding hearings early next month on Mayor Michael Coleman’s budget proposal.
The first in a series of eight hearings – dealing with technology, small and minority business issues – is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Council is expected to debate and amend the $796.7 million proposed 2014 budget on Feb. 3 and vote on it a week later.
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.
Coleman’s budget includes $7.5 million for schools, $7.6 million for the Rainy Day Fund, additional money to crack down on slumlords and to expand hours at several recreation centers to full-time.