[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6631797,"mediaKeyId","2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed","parentId",2677337,"title","Citizens Review Board budget retains three positions; board seeks part-time data analyst not included in current budget","audioSeconds",463,"startMs",4358000,"endMs",4821000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed&start=4358&end=4821","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed/thumbnail_4358000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631797/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Citizens-Review-Board-budget-retains-three-positions-board-seeks-part-time-data-analyst-not-included-in-current-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631797-3f4bb92c9e3145b7fa53fc5e9676e28e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=YOne0QgHCWNXngtlSR-h2iofcYE978~RHfRvihriGwklfnFFothud4F87IP1MnYlXWHTHdgSDNqRyc4hMK~nVZeOGOINLwIHFnl3sdwARVpEVfJ~vreAV4AGcGzf94qOireuOMfop7J8BwIOiTbtaPmXmu1JPD02sHRgNIyywXfbvYzP1rf-fwBbpbEYbzEkdzd8~xnw1TWtTsSVKpCQVM3xRjUzHCFvtZha-BtaE04QRYZ9foDYW0L6UT77HE-4g0CDVKMHIp4KbMQmDi7~kuYVQbwv4Br6zvnqKxsmvylTFUnCPnNh5LdjjrWDdo5RVQWFFBW0T7wpj74SKdlTIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron OH","date","2025-03-19T00:53:37.167Z","article","The Citizens Review Board presented its budget request to the committee and discussed staffing, software and data needs the board says are necessary to carry out oversight work.

Why it matters: The board’s ability to analyze complaint, use-of-force, and other policing data depends on staff capacity and tools. The board’s founders and city council members have argued a dedicated analyst increases transparency and enables evidence-based recommendations.

Budget and staffing: The board’s current recommended budget retains three funded positions in the book: an auditor, a deputy auditor and an administrative role the board says will be staffed as an executive assistant (a substitution for an older assistant position). The board noted committees meet monthly; stipends for board members are $100 per meeting.

Software and data analyst request: Board representatives said they had included a one-time software request (~$100,000) in an earlier draft, but finance staff and the mayor reassigned that acquisition to a citywide IT/finance budget line; the transcript records staff saying the software funding is now in the citywide budget and that annual maintenance amounts are unknown until the software is procured. The board and council members also discussed a part-time data analyst the board had sought — staff said a part-time analyst (estimated at about $45,000 as a part-time cost in the board’s original request) was not included in the budget currently before the committee.

Rationale for analyst: The police auditor (role title used in the discussion) described five oversight benefits of an analyst: identifying systemic issues, assessing policy impact, supporting evidence-based recommendations, enhancing public trust through transparent data publication, and mitigating legal risk by spotting trends that could reduce liability. The auditor argued a dedicated analyst is important because oversight work is fluid and requests for data come unpredictably.

What was not specified: The board did not receive a committed line-item for the analyst in the version of the budget discussed; the transcript does not include a final decision to fund that position. The exact software vendor, procurement timetable, and projected annual maintenance costs were not specified in the committee discussion.

Next steps: Council members and staff discussed bringing back more detail about goals, past activity and the board’s requested tools; staff said they would provide the report and additional information to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Committee Meetings - 3.17.25 (Budget & Finance)","oneSentenceSummary","The Citizens Review Board’s proposed budget retains three staff positions, but a part‑time data analyst the board requested (estimated at about $45,000) was not included in the version of the budget before the committee; a one‑time $100,000 software request was moved into citywide IT/finance.","taxTitle","Akron, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",2666,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631802,"Planning officials: HUD continuum funding confirmed; Great Streets and Lock 3 event budgets increasing",791,3479000,4270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed&start=3479&end=4270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed/thumbnail_3479000.jpg","/articles/6631802/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Planning-officials-HUD-continuum-funding-confirmed-Great-Streets-and-Lock-3-event-budgets-increasing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631802-f4cabbd543bf08c0118e66b2497d0076/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=BH9SF2SdZIOclxxdupJdelfsaCp~MN76n81Wm2O9xK0wJhK3mOT7xlPJKca0wHFnX0kZoykrCwa4h0fdDxlw1dKhyy8aMXbCoJD4jWwQ0x2IL6a4VVnDmGtaPv7MEchCa~Jug8OeafSkWnZOdrzqF9QsFYXcDUsQUuo8kwnwIRjgYifYgtvF1Hd1HQY-0VTitSSSLLMtLW2C3Q65MPkvgZZBY8lYTDGDTV7wsnmMxTj7pV9JMfwyblVyujVV51J7aGlGmNcNR6aKldErwfHGQDaaVA08SNEvpYOSOun3NDf5EgS6nvz~Fhb89z6BVEzAFz7O685Tcs9LaE~knGxAOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff updated the budget and finance committee on federal housing program timelines and local event funding plans.

Why it matters: Federal allocations for CDBG, HOME and ESG influence housing and homelessness programs. Separately, the city budget for downtown events determines what acts and scale the city can book for Lock 3 and other summer events.

Continuum of Care and HUD programs: Helen Tomic told the committee the City of Akron and participating Continuum of Care agencies received notification from HUD that their Continuum of Care application from 2024 would be funded for 2025–26, representing roughly $6.6 million spread across about 16–17 agencies and approximately 28 programs. Tomic said HUD has 60 days after Congress passes the budget to release allocations; she estimated Akron would receive formal CDBG/Home allocations around mid-May (she gave May 14 as the expected date for allocations to be released to entitlement jurisdictions after the federal budget was enacted).

Home program timing and ARPA: Staff explained that HOME program spending can draw on prior allocations and that larger year-to-year variance can reflect multi-year projects moving between phases; similarly, ARPA-funded service-contract timing and contractor availability affected 2023–24 spending patterns, producing catch-up in 2024 and a different profile for 2025.

Great Streets and Lock 3 events: Committee members asked about Great Streets and Lock 3 concert funding. Staff said lock-3 concert and summer concert management is handled under a downtown operations budget (page 205). The budgeted amount for downtown concerts in 2025 is $1.5 million — about $600,000 higher than the prior plan — with an intended $400,000 of additional revenue to offset the increase and a net city cost of roughly $200,000 more to enable booking larger acts.

What was not specified: The committee did not receive a line-itemized list of which Continuum of Care subrecipients will receive which amounts, nor full Great Streets itemization at the planning table; staff said they would provide more detailed expense reports to council members who requested them.

Next steps: Staff said they will circulate allocation notices when HUD releases them and that Great Streets coordinators are finalizing program revisions and revenue strategies for 2025.","Planning staff told the committee HUD’s Continuum of Care awards were confirmed at roughly $6.6 million and that final CDBG/HOME allocations will arrive after federal allocations are released; downtown event funding (Lock 3/summer concerts) is budgeted at $1.5 million for 2025 with a planned offset of $400,000 in revenue.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631808,"Fire budget reflects lost grant funding; department reports $3.8 million in transport revenue after AMR contract ended",941,2189000,3130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed&start=2189&end=3130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed/thumbnail_2189000.jpg","/articles/6631808/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Fire-budget-reflects-lost-grant-funding-department-reports-38-million-in-transport-revenue-after-AMR-contract-ended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631808-13e8beb70bf566c4d60da21da2254f7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=P0YQeEXTfbMEhADUXXWnFAzU3IauNwRg-BBRjby8Xd7~oMysOWdcMKzip6BBYtQUruWMH18H0tcazaSMAnFvOS29yIXz~28-Jj-yeYt7qf1E1H-1ci~UiLMReMJmJSIF2uyTYXdiutJFNQIUgS9prHZ7w7SZuhlrBUGurnWgqSp1-CzkGvJnAV-0E8R3dd1BXhPiroAy5mMpaKK1pbVl7FGqbTKzeKU1HlMqdQYSFBbDsBqHHTqeTVFsNaIa9LppZ~LbkgVuJ7a-UoTq5wIdv4qeRwDbmVTnFK2F3CjePXoa4gWBkNMm9I6wlCzLTtj9iieOmOop1u7b8ESoWp-VjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron fire officials briefed the budget and finance committee on grant expirations that previously funded firefighter slots and on operational changes after the city assumed patient transports from AMR.

Why it matters: Like police, the fire department has had portions of staffing paid from federal grants. The expiration or reduction of those grants increases general-fund personnel obligations and affects capital and equipment planning.

Grants and staffing: Chief Henderson and District Chief Kelly said two grants previously funded 25 firefighter positions each; those grants have largely expired. The grant fund for fire still carries funding sufficient to charge four firefighters for the remainder of a closing grant, but most previously grant-funded slots were transferred to the general fund. Staff told the committee the general-fund headcount for fire rises from about 205.5 to roughly 250.5 when those positions are included.

Reimbursements and timing: Staff said last year’s grant fund budgeted about $5.6 million; the upcoming year’s grant budget shows about $528,000. Staff added that some costs paid from the general fund last year are billable under the grant and that the city expects roughly $2 million in reimbursements this year for expenses incurred previously.

Transport revenue after AMR contract: Committee members asked about the workload impacts of canceling the AMR transport contract. Chief Henderson said city fire personnel began performing transports and that “our revenues went up about $3,800,000 for that service,” attributing the revenue to insurance and public-pay collections processed through Life Force, the department’s billing vendor. Staff said billing is processed so residents generally do not receive direct bills; insurance and Medicaid/Medicare are billed. The state is considering changes that staff said could increase collections further.

Equipment, capital and timing: Committee members questioned lower equipment line spending in 2024 and the planned equipment budget for 2025. Staff explained some capital purchases are budgeted in one line (e.g., IT 4 or capital) but recorded on different expenditure lines when invoiced; some purchases are ordered in one year but not delivered or expended until later years. The department and finance staff described an equipment replacement fund intended to hold ordered equipment funding until actual delivery and expenditure.

What was not specified: Exact per-position dollar conversions from grant to general fund were not enumerated on the record. Staff characterized the grant funding changes in broad terms and gave reimbursement and revenue totals but did not provide a complete per-line reconciliation during the discussion.

Next steps: Committee members asked for further detail on overtime comparisons year to year and the timing of reimbursements and capital expenditures.","Akron Fire Department officials told the committee several grants that funded firefighters expired, moving positions to the general fund; department leaders said the city began transporting patients after the AMR contract ended and reported roughly $3.8 million in additional transport revenue.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631813,"Police budget shifts as grant-funded officer slots move to general fund; overtime above budget in 2024",196,872000,1068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed&start=872&end=1068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed/thumbnail_872000.jpg","/articles/6631813/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Police-budget-shifts-as-grant-funded-officer-slots-move-to-general-fund-overtime-above-budget-in-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631813-58275efb063ffed1cd5b9c18df2c4388/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=Ct6MFW44VEzVggnql1hRkmYvIoftzoEwVsUMgjQ6cTxA71T4yYwcnHulhQWUOWU-CMDsyn18eUcDh3dNvhsoPqmYfuoPzhnpyKp-jOi3fVbcx1WZSFKXQEd~KSDzT~eqDl3yHQF0ZqTiNLA1YctyqFPc7elqsO4C8Sek9cyO3DVDx7~jrov4WLZ8NkpqGzcfOdXVnoqPwx8cTBR~wnuo1fpbzuiF9rLruEMFdiKoJztWJPVLYQCOEBf3qFjALds25SuAnuOvqfysshdY-iq0c1y3f5X5plvXeq8kFZMxtVpxdNe-g2Jl1vbM9An5OuZhr23CAhUImMS1QlJKaupQcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Akron City Council budget and finance committee meeting, staff described how multiple grant programs that once funded police officers have ended or been reduced, shifting personnel costs into the city’s general fund and complicating future grant eligibility.

Why it matters: The change could increase the portion of the general fund devoted to police salaries and affects the city’s ability to claim grant need in future applications. Committee members pressed staff for the size of the funding gap and for clarity on overtime and grant accounting.

What staff told the committee: According to staff, the '25 police budget notes that it includes 25 employees previously funded by grants. Staff explained those positions were funded by multiple grants over time: a COPS hiring grant (which formerly funded 12 officers), one or more ARPA-funded positions and a SACI (sexual assault kit initiative) grant that funded three positions; those grants have since expired or been reduced. On the current version of the COPS hiring assistance, staff said the city now receives reimbursement for 12 officers but at only about 33% of each officer’s cost.

Steve (staff member) provided a high-level estimate of the funding gap and said, “the all in cost on that would be about 3.1” (interpreted in context as about $3,100,000), and later cautioned that was a high-side estimate because some positions are newer and lower-paid. The committee discussed how moving formerly grant-funded positions onto the general-fund budget could make the city appear to be fully staffed to future grantors, potentially making future grant awards harder to obtain.

Overtime and grant accounting: Staff reported police overtime was budgeted at about $4.1 million for the prior year and actual overtime spending was about $5.3 million. Staff explained some overtime is charged to grants and subsequently transferred; that practice can reduce apparent overtime in the general-fund documents. Staff also said some ARPA uses in 2024 shifted operating costs out of the general fund but that the city is not relying on direct ARPA personnel funding in 2025.

Other budget notes: Staff pointed the committee to the police grant fund pages (page 178 in the budget book) showing last year’s grant labor spending versus the smaller grant-funded labor for the coming year. Mobile safety center funding was described as split between police and fire at roughly $165,000 each (about $330,000 total).

What was not specified: Staff did not provide exact contract or line-item dollar amounts for each transferred position on the record beyond the high-level estimate and did not identify which individual officers are affected. Staff warned numbers are approximate given variations in individual salaries and grant reimbursement rules.

Next steps: Committee members asked staff to provide additional details about overtime and grant funding mechanics to aid future deliberations.","Committee discussion showed multiple federal and state grants that previously funded Akron police positions have ended or shrunk, transferring roughly millions of dollars in personnel costs to the general fund. Police overtime and grant accounting also drew committee questions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6631817,"Committee approves emergency contracts for police psychological exams and online pre-employment testing",254,520000,774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed&start=520&end=774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677337-826d9feb10cda701faa7978a757958ed/thumbnail_520000.jpg","/articles/6631817/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Committee-approves-emergency-contracts-for-police-psychological-exams-and-online-pre-employment-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631817-19151766406ece2d0bd035b6650b66f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156030&Signature=eMV8mJGZUc4zv4uKAUMqkvCpK2pY4yrVH4H47bfu8rKsTc4uztjf4iQO2XsmH-ELlTtaUoiotv95ULIq3wgFhahXLuNC30KGpbhBlyRmCH25QB3e4pBwWK~tUJX3PUy5VhCjjtMgUh92kmjX9wfvotlbTaG89FXB4hYYDbx0p8sIOVFoY4YUz8-pZJ3PdsCEsudyz-dZgXSp6lCWud-9SA~qK-hHRTXatidquZSSDttCTcu3FU3dTKN~ka-NTX3XBimpprYnHsm7GHdp7iNkTot77b3CLLV7j52~PdSTAHG6220Jf22o0oFFLNgn3CFHwKxOi7AOlkzuaQi3Ph9hTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Akron City Council budget and finance committee voted to allow emergency, no-bid contracts for two hiring-related services used by city safety forces.

The committee voted to suspend the rules and advance an ordinance authorizing the director of human resources to enter a contract with Faust Psychological Services to administer psychological examinations and evaluations for police and other safety personnel. The committee also approved an ordinance authorizing a contract with National Testing Network to provide online pre-employment testing for Akron Safety Forces; members moved to suspend the rules on that measure and approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: Both measures permit the administration to execute contracts without the formal public-bidding process, enabling the city to continue or expand screening services for prospective public-safety hires. Committee members framed the National Testing Network service as an online testing option intended to increase recruitment by allowing candidates to test at many locations nationally.

Committee discussion and votes: Chris (staff member) described Faust’s services as long-established, saying, “He’s got a long history, a lot of experience in providing those services for safety forces.” When members moved to suspend the rules on the Faust ordinance, Councilwoman Amobian joined online and a roll call was held: Lombardo abstained; Amobian, Fusco, Boyes and Bolden voted aye. The chair announced, “The motion to suspend the rules passes 4 to 0 with 1 abstention.”

On the National Testing Network item, staff described the service as “a pre-employment testing” platform that operates online and can be completed at multiple nationwide sites; the committee approved suspension of the rules and advanced the ordinance by voice vote.

What was not decided: The meeting record does not include contract amounts, term lengths, or effective dates for either procurement; those specifics were not specified in the discussion recorded in the transcript. The ordinances were characterized in the meeting as declarations of emergency to allow direct contracting, but no execution details were provided on the record.

Next steps: With suspension of rules approved, the ordinances were advanced for finalization so contract execution can proceed per the authorizations the committee approved.","Akron's budget and finance committee approved ordinances allowing the city to contract without public bidding for psychological exams with Faust Psychological Services and online pre-employment testing with National Testing Network, with the Faust suspension of rules recorded by roll call and the testing contract approved by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Citizens Review Board budget retains three positions; board seeks part-time data analyst not included in current budget

Planning officials: HUD continuum funding confirmed; Great Streets and Lock 3 event budgets increasing

Fire budget reflects lost grant funding; department reports $3.8 million in transport revenue after AMR contract ended

Police budget shifts as grant-funded officer slots move to general fund; overtime above budget in 2024

Committee approves emergency contracts for police psychological exams and online pre-employment testing