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Columbus council hears tight 2025 budget, plans hires for public safety while drawing on reserves
Summary
Officials presented a $2.5 billion proposed operating budget and a $1.23 billion general fund plan described as "austere," citing rising insurance and labor costs, use of a $19.7 million basic city services transfer, paused rainy-day deposits, and planned hiring of 180 police officers and 45 firefighters.
Council leaders and city finance officials on the Columbus City Council's Finance & Governance committee detailed a constrained proposed 2025 operating budget they say balances competing priorities with limited revenue growth.
The administration's proposal totals $2.5 billion in all funds, with $1.23 billion earmarked for general fund operations. Deputy Director Adam Robbins of the Department of Finance and Management said income tax—the city's largest general fund source—was forecast to grow 3% in 2025 (an estimate the auditor also used), producing an income tax projection of $898,474,000. Robbins said roughly 70% of general fund spending is personnel costs and noted rising insurance expenses and recently negotiated labor agreements as key drivers of…
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