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Committee delays downtown lighting assessment after resident raises overcharge concerns
Summary
A resident told the Budget and Finance Committee she is being charged for more street lights than actually operate on her block; Vice Mayor Kearney moved to hold the downtown lighting assessment for one week so staff can answer her concerns. The committee approved the hold by roll call and will revisit the item next week.
Renee Filiatro, a downtown resident, told the Cincinnati Budget and Finance Committee that the lighting-assessment ordinance now before the panel would likely overcharge some property owners.
"Last year, we got assessed for 46 lights on 1 block. The city has never operated more than about 23 or 24 lights on that block," Filiatro said, adding that her building’s assessment comes to about $13.66 per front foot per year compared with a citywide average of $2 to $4.
Filiatro asked the city to review the proposed three‑year assessment before the ordinance is voted on again. Her remarks came ahead of a staff presentation that described the measure as the first step in a three‑year lighting assessment for Lighting Group 2 in the Central Business District, noting the program would cover 895 lights and total about $789,000 after city credits.
Vice Mayor Kearney moved to hold the lighting-assessment resolution for one week "just given what Miss Filiatro said about the assessment," saying staff should have the chance to provide answers. Council member Walsh seconded the motion, arguing that a one‑week delay was an appropriate step when concerns remain.
City staff described the measure as an initial procedural step and said there would be a subsequent notification process and opportunities to review the list of properties and counts. Staff acknowledged that postponing the vote would delay the assessment and the collection process by about one week but characterized that delay as not significant.
After discussion, the committee approved the motion to hold the item for one week by roll call. The chair said the ordinance will be returned to the committee next week for further consideration and that staff will follow up on the specific concerns raised by Filiatro.
The committee did not take a final vote on the assessment at the meeting; the item remains scheduled for reconsideration at the next committee meeting.
