Committee advances Green Cincinnati projects and $1.56M match for West Fork remediation; $250K moved to workforce training

At its June 13 meeting the Cincinnati Finance and Budget Committee advanced multiple environment and sustainability items, putting them on for passage and approving transfers needed to implement Green Cincinnati initiatives.

The committee considered four related items: an in‑kind AmeriCorps VISTA position for the Office of Environment and Sustainability (Item 5), a capital and grant‑match ordinance to fund demolition and remediation of the West Fork incinerator site (Item 6), a $100,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund grant for the Cincinnati Youth Climate Action Program (Item 7), and a transfer and appropriation ordinance to move $250,000 into OES’s operating budget to fund workforce development training (Item 14).

Key details - Item 5: The committee reviewed a grant ordinance to accept in‑kind services for an AmeriCorps VISTA position supporting the Green Cincinnati plan, described as "a one full‑time contracted position" with a reported in‑kind value of "$46,800." - Item 6: The committee reviewed an ordinance establishing capital project accounts and providing a local grant match of $1.562 million to support demolition of the West Fork incinerator and site remediation. The Office of Environment and Sustainability will contribute $1,000,000 from existing Green Cincinnati plan funds; Department of Community and Economic Development will provide $562,000 from property development improvements funding. - Item 7: Committee members put a $100,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund grant on for passage to continue the Cincinnati Youth Climate Action Program. - Item 14: The committee approved a transfer that reallocates $250,000 from capital to operating within OES to support workforce development training (energy‑auditor training), a $1,000,000 allocation for home repairs that is intended to unlock a $5,000,000 match, and the establishment of a Green Bank in coordination with the Cincinnati Development Fund. Council members said an announcement on additional Green Bank funding is expected in the coming weeks.

Why it matters Committee members described these items as a package that pairs immediate workforce and youth programming with larger capital investments to remediate a problematic site and seed a local green financing tool. Council member Mark Jeffries noted workforce outcomes, saying energy auditors "on average make about 77,000," and described the training as a job pathway that does not require a college degree.

Outcome The committee put Items 5, 6, 7 and 14 on for passage. Staff said some program details (for example exact Green Bank capitalization and the timing of external match funds) will be forthcoming; the items as presented fund the next steps needed to implement the programs.

Ending The committee advanced the OES funding package and the West Fork remediation match; staff will return with implementation details and timing.