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Residents, nonprofits press council on racial equity, tax abatements and oversight of leverage grants and rail funds
Summary
Public commenters urged stronger equity measures in budgeting, criticized tax abatements and called for oversight of leverage-support grants and Cincinnati Southern Railway spending; nonprofit leaders described services they provide to residents.
Several residents and nonprofit representatives used the Budget and Finance Committee public-comment period to press the city for greater attention to racial equity, oversight of grant funding and fair treatment of long-term residents as new revenue arrives.
Stanford Poole, a resident and public commenter, criticized recruitment and tax-abatement practices, saying, "The Cincinnati fire department just had a recruit class. They had 47, only 8 were minority." He also faulted long tax abatements, saying, "You give rich guys 15 years tax abatement. They don't have to pay no tax for 15 or 30 years. And the citizens that voted for you guys, you give them nothing." Poole framed those concerns in a broader claim about longstanding racial injustice in Cincinnati.
Other commenters urged more oversight of leverage-support awards. Todd Zinsser of West Price Hill asked about monitoring and safeguards after citing past nonprofit failures: "Are there grant assurances? ... How do you prevent that?" He also urged examining how the city spends tranche-based railway payments before future allotments arrive.
Nonprofit testimony included Laura Sullivan of Just Choice, who described the group's direct services and results: "In 2024, we provided a $150,000 in mutual aid ... We've hosted 57 kids keeping them out of foster care and we supported 68 pregnant people in accessing the abortion support that they needed." Cinnamon Rosemond, identified as a former Just Choice client and founder of Off the Block Grama and OTB Home, told the committee the group helped her and families she serves secure housing and financial stability.
Eric Kearney, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce, delivered economic-impact figures for the chamber and described existing oversight practices: "Inside the city of Cincinnati, we create $1,400,000,000 of economic impact, 8,500 jobs, $322,000,000 in earnings, $10,300,000 in earnings tax, and $7,300,000 in sales tax. ... We get monthly oversight from the city. We have to provide quarterly reports, and someone from the city is by our office at least monthly."
Chuck Cullen, presenting as president of Samara, the Cincinnati Municipal Employees Retirement Association, thanked council for past support of the collaborative settlement agreement and urged continued funding so retirees receive promised benefits. Angela Pearson of Madisonville described displacement and inequity in development and enforcement, telling the committee, "They're taking black people houses and putting fines on their homes and then you created a housing court to take their homes from there. You give them your house or you won't go to jail. What are y'all doing about this?"
Committee members did not take votes during the hearing; the chair closed the session after noting the scheduled additional budget hearings on March 3 and March 12 and a March 5 budget basics session.
The public record from comments will be available to council as it drafts budget priorities and considers leverage-support awards and allocations for Cincinnati Southern Railway revenue.
