Vice mayor's plan to reallocate $1 million from fleet to nonprofits fails after heated debate
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Summary
Vice Mayor Kearney proposed moving $1 million from a fleet line item to seven nonprofit programs; the committee debated whether $1 million would meaningfully impact fleet needs and then rejected the reallocation in a roll-call vote.
CINCINNATI ' The Budget & Finance Committee considered and rejected an amendment that would have shifted $1 million earmarked for fleet repairs to a package of nonprofit programs, including funding requests from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Habitat for Humanity and the Ohio Justice & Policy Center.
Vice Mayor Kearney proposed the reallocation, saying the city already had $10.6 million in the manager's FY26 fleet plan and that $1 million would produce more immediate impact if directed to local nonprofits providing workforce development, housing acquisition and health programs. "One million dollars will not even buy one fire truck," Kearney said, arguing the sum could do more for organizations delivering services now.
Opponents, including the committee chair and several council members, said fleet needs remain acute and that the administration's May 27 fleet plan required the $10.6 million requested; they argued additional fleet funding should be considered later in the carryover or closeout process rather than removed from the manager's baseline. Councilmember Jeffries noted that fleet shortfalls have contributed to operational gaps such as snow removal and that replenishing vehicles and equipment carries immediate public-safety and service consequences.
The committee took a roll-call vote on the vice mayor's amendment. Votes recorded in the transcript show a majority opposed the reallocation (Yes votes: Vice Mayor Kearney, Councilmember Scottie Johnson; No votes: Councilmembers KramerDing, Nolan, Jeffries, Albee, Owens, Parks, Walsh). The amendment failed and the omnibus budget retained the additional $1 million for fleet as proposed in the council package.
During discussion, administration staff clarified that reappropriated funds scheduled to be available July 1 were already committed to projects and therefore not a direct source for the vice mayor's proposed redirection. Committee members asked administration to continue pursuing larger fleet funding options in the carryover and fall closeout processes.
The committee then moved to finalize the omnibus package and scheduled a short follow-up meeting Wednesday to prepare final ordinances for full council.