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Residents press council on housing, NSP funds, water billing and transparency ahead of votes
Summary
Public commenters used their two minutes to press city leaders for more transparency on Neighborhood Sustainability Project funding, question a vacant-building registration, complain about water billing practices, and call for participatory budgeting as the council considered large capital commitments.
Public comment before the council’s business agenda covered a range of concerns from civic-service issues to project-level objections and cultural support.
Several speakers supported the Farmer Music Center and described the economic and cultural benefits of a modern venue. Others urged the council to pause the decision and prioritize immediate needs: Mona Jenkins said the $8 million commitment came too quickly given a recently reported budget deficit and asked for more information on return on investment and inclusion goals. Todd Zinsser and other residents asked why the city was being asked to provide millions and whether those funds could instead address affordable housing or a planned homeless shelter.
Residents also raised neighborhood-level concerns: Vanessa (chair of the OTR Quality of Life Commission) requested an internal review of Neighborhood Sustainability Project (NSP) fund allocations, arguing larger organizations are receiving funds over grassroots neighborhood projects. Mike Eulhorn said Greater Cincinnati Water Works charges monthly fees when water service is shut off and described unsuccessful attempts to get council help. Other commenters raised personnel and accountability concerns about city leadership.
Council members referenced these public comments during deliberations on the Farmer Music Center and in later votes, and several requested more detailed budget- and inclusion-analysis from the administration before final appropriations are made.
