CINCINNATI ' The Cincinnati Budget & Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance the city manager's proposed fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets, and to approve a council omnibus motion that incorporates mayoral adjustments and council's final amendments.

The committee chair said the group would consider three related actions in sequence: first approve the manager's budget, then the mayor's changes, and finally council's omnibus motion. "We have to pass a budget by June 30," the chair said during opening remarks, setting the timeline for final action.

The omnibus motion folded individual council budget adjustments into a single package that adds funding across several priorities, including economic development, housing, public safety and fleet. Committee members and administration staff outlined that the omnibus keeps the city structurally balanced while adding targeted resources for neighborhood investments, a quick-acquisition fund and additional economic-development programs.

Administration officials described the manager's ordinances before the committee as the package that implements the majority of the general fund operating budget, restricted funds budgets and the capital improvement program. Several HUD entitlement grants and transfers were also on the agenda, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding appropriations.

Council members emphasized the budget's twin aims of addressing near-term service needs and positioning the city for growth. "This council still prioritizes housing and economic development," the committee chair said while describing the omnibus additions. Members praised investments for fleet maintenance, a lateral police recruitment class, and catalytic neighborhood development funds.

The committee took a recorded roll-call vote on the omnibus motion; the motion passed. During the meeting a member later asked that a change to their recorded vote be noted for the minutes. The chair announced the committee will reconvene Wednesday to present the ordinances to the full council.

The meeting included separate votes to place numerous appropriations, bond and grant ordinances on the agenda for final passage; several items were described and put "on for passage" during the hearing. The administration answered questions on specific items, including anticipated trust disbursements for the Cincinnati Southern Railway and details about HUD grant recipients for ESG homeless services.

The committee chair closed by reminding members of the council's June 30 deadline and scheduling a short follow-up meeting Wednesday to finalize ordinance language and move the budget to full council for final adoption.

Looking ahead, the council will hold final debate at Wednesday's meeting before moving the fiscal 2026 ordinances to final vote and enactment.