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City budget office outlines FY26 process and warns ARP one‑time funds are ending
Summary
At a March budget hearing, city budget staff reviewed the FY25 budget, explained the FY26 biennial schedule and said one‑time American Rescue Plan Act funds have largely expired, returning emphasis to structurally balanced general‑fund planning and tax‑base growth.
The Cincinnati Budget & Finance Committee heard an overview of city finances and the FY26 budget process from Dr. Dudes, the budget office presenter, on the committee’s third public budget hearing.
Dr. Dudes told the panel that the city is moving from a budget that relied in part on one‑time federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) dollars to a “structurally balanced” budget for future years, meaning recurring revenues must meet recurring expenses. He said: “Our goal is to pass a balanced budget every year. Specifically, now we will be looking at a structurally balanced budget.”
The presentation laid out five strategic priorities that guide department spending: public safety and health, growing economic opportunities, thriving neighborhoods, fiscal sustainability, and excellent and equitable service delivery. Dr. Dudes said departments and agencies in the approved FY25 document are assigned to one of those priorities on their summary pages.
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