Cincinnati City Council shyly approved $ 30 million in stimulus spending on Wednesday, separating the end of the city’s first annual allocation from the U.S. bailout program.
Wednesday spending comes after Congress approves $ 134.2 million in stimulus spending on May 5, Cincinnati will earn another round of cash in 2022 to spend about $ 300 million total over the two years.
Here are some key points from the last few rounds of spending:
Passion or “Political Speech”?
The city council debated between the two plans to spend money. One was presented by Councilors Steve Goodin and David Mann, the other by Councilors Greg Landsman and Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney.
In a council meeting on Monday, Lanzmann accused his council members of supporting Goodin and Mann’s proposal, which did not fully focus on the childcare crisis caused by the pandemic.
“We spent $ 8 million on bars and restaurants again. We spent $ 6 million on art groups, ”Landsman said. If the Council chose the Goodin and Mann motion it said: So I want you to reconsider. “
The Republican Goodin accused the Democrat Lanzmann of “tainted” councilors and gave a “political speech”. He said his proposal stimulates the economy, which is what money is for.
“That doesn’t mean we’re against children,” Goodin said. “That doesn’t mean we’re against childcare.”
In the end, the council endorsed Goodin and Mann, who are also Democrats, and approved their spending plans by five to four votes.About the Plan: Goodin, Husband and Alderman Liz Keating, R; Betsy Thunderman, R; Deputy Mayor Christopher Smitherman, Independent.
Resist the Plan: Lanzmann, Kearney, D, and Councilors Wendell Young, D, and Sirbach, D.
Over $ 12 million in homes
Two weeks have passed. Problem 3 failed in Cincinnati. The measure would have spent $ 50 million annually on affordable housing, but the council on Wednesday took a smaller step towards the same goal, providing $ 12.4 million in housing incentives.
This includes $ 6.4 million in affordable housing trust funds. $ 3 million for Bethany House, which serves homeless families. $ 2.5 million in Port for Affordable Home Development. $ 500,000 to fund repairs for violations of the Housing Act.
Opponent of the third edition, Goodin said the incentive was “dedicated to a partner we know and trust and who is ready for the project”.
How much should I go to childcare?
Landsman and Kearney’s plans required $ 5 million for childcare, compared to the $ 1 million in the Goodin / Mann plan, which was a big controversial issue.
Landsman argued that a bigger investment was essential. However, Goodin and Mann said it was unclear how Lanzmann’s proposed money would actually be spent. And Mr Goodin said the town had no business to fund childcare anyway.
“We are a commune,” he says. “There is a road to be paved. We take care of public safety…. There are areas in which we have to get up. ”
Black Lives Matter murals have no money
The stimulus is not being used to restore Downtown Black Lives Matter’s murals.
Authorities talked about the $ 250,000 federal incentive dedication to mural restoration. However, city lawyers said wall restorations were not allowed under federal guidelines on using the stimulus.
The end result can be very similar, as it appears that Congress is still trying to fund the restoration of the mural using the city’s regular budget. It doesn’t come from the stimulus.
$ 30 million breakdown
In total, the proposal, approved on Wednesday, calls for $ 29.5 million, including:
- $ 12.4 million for homes.
- $ 6.3 million for small business, minority, and women’s businesses. This includes $ 1.5 million for minority real estate partnerships and $ 2 million for support grants in neighboring business districts.
- $ 3.99 million for health and social services. That includes $ 150,000 for the La Soupe food restoration program and $ 3 million for UC Health and Children’s Hospital.
- $ 3.35 million for arts and culture. That includes $ 1 million for the Public Museum and $ 1.7 million for the Cincinnati Visitors Bureau & Convention Center.
- $ 1.75 million for a neighborhood revitalization fund.
- $ 1.25 million for youth programs, including $ 250,000 for boys and girls clubs and $ 50,000 for suicide prevention for LGBTQ students.
- $ 430,000 for urban network and cybersecurity updates.
“We were careful. We spent most of that money on financial stability, ”Gooddin said. “We’ll leave town in a good place if we leave this terrible time behind for years to come.”
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