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Council adopts FY2027 budget priorities; $8 million Farmer Music Center allocation draws dissent
Summary
Council approved an omnibus budget-priority motion directing staff to prepare an FY2027 recommended general fund budget. Several members praised service protections but Vice Mayor Kearney and others voted no or voiced concerns about an $8 million Farmer Music Center allocation that lacked an attached financial analysis and competed with housing priorities.
The Cincinnati City Council voted to adopt a multi-sponsor omnibus motion setting FY2027 budget priorities but recorded notable dissent over an $8 million allocation tied to the Farmer Music Center project.
Council member Krammerding, lead sponsor of the budget-priority motion, described broad agreement on public-safety and infrastructure priorities and urged the administration to proceed to develop the recommended budget. Several members thanked staff and the budget team for their work.
Vice Mayor Kearney said she would vote no, saying the omnibus included allocations without sufficient financial analysis and arguing that $8 million earmarked for the Farmer Music Center could instead support urgent housing needs, home repairs and neighborhood programs. "We know that $8,000,000 needs to be spent for more housing, which we critically need," she said. Council member James also announced a no vote, citing insufficient affordability measures and calling for a dedicated affordability fund.
Council members who supported the motion said directing the administration to prepare a recommended budget was a necessary step to allow further scrutiny by the manager and council. The roll call recorded multiple "yes" votes and at least three "no" votes; the motion passed.
What happens next: The council directed the city manager and budget team to prepare a FY2027 recommended general fund budget consistent with the motion's priorities. Several council members said they expect additional line-item review and possible revisions when the recommended budget is presented.
