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Finance department outlines ARPA obligations, five‑year forecast work and procurement transparency plans
Summary
Finance staff reported ARPA obligations and described plans for a formal five‑year operating forecast, an annual procurement document for vendors and expanded cybersecurity training for city employees.
Finance staff updated the budget committee on staffing, ARPA spending and planned process improvements. A finance presenter said the city has obligated nearly $120 million of ARPA funds and expects to spend down ARPA by the end of 2026 under the current plan.
Presenters announced several near‑term projects: development of a formal five‑year forecast for operating revenues and expenditures; rollout of a vendor registration system (2G‑IS or similar) to centralize supplier registration; and an “annual procurement” document to provide the public and vendors with an expected schedule of major purchases and bids. Staff said these tools aim to improve budget transparency and planning.
The communications and IT divisions reported continued expansion of the city’s fiber network and installation of AVL/GPS units on city vehicles; finance staff said Akron is participating as the first large Ohio city in a statewide cybersecurity training pilot for municipal employees.
Why it matters: A five‑year forecast and public procurement schedule would change how potential vendors and internal departments plan for capital and operating procurements. ARPA spending levels and substitution decisions made during the current budget cycle will shape near‑term capital and program budgets.
Council members asked about tax‑collection efforts and vendor mailing contracts; finance staff described initiatives to identify unfiled taxpayers and to modernize vendor management. No formal action was taken.
