Columbus community sounds off on Ginther's $2.9 billion spending bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The City of Columbus held its final capital budget proposal public hearing Thursday night, highlighting Mayor Andrew Ginther’s $2.9 billion budget plan, focusing on public safety and recreation and parks. 

Residents came out to learn about the proposed capital budget and where that money could potentially go. 

“It's really exciting to see a larger budget that’s supported by a larger revenue base, which is a testament to the resiliency of our community and economic strength of our community,” City of Columbus Director of Finance Chris Long said. 

Long said it is the largest capital budget in Columbus history. Long said where the money goes depends on the mayor’s priorities and the community’s needs. 

“Whether that be a public service, whether it be public safety, whether it be our utilities infrastructure, whether it be affordable housing, those are our North Star in terms of determining Capital Budget,” he said.

Public safety was a top priority. City leaders broke down some projects and the amount budgeted for each of them, like the Records Management System and Fire Facility renovations. 

“I'm excited about what we are doing in the City of Columbus. I’m excited about it as a whole,” resident Veronica Hill said. 

Hill had some questions regarding Fire Station 20 on East 5th Avenue. 

“As they're building the new fire stations, which I think is wonderful, we'd like to see that fire station be considered," she said. "It needs to be torn down. It needs to be rebuilt."

The Easton Police Substation is a huge part of the public safety budget. The proposed amount budgeted is $14 million. The facility will replace current substation 6, which was built in 1974; it’s outdated and too small.

“I'm sure it's necessary, but that being said, it goes back to my initial question in that we're building in areas like that,” Hill said. “In some of the other outskirts, they're putting up these beautiful, aesthetically looking and functional fire stations and police departments. But the inner city, I think that they were kind of behind the eight ball and we just want to be considered.”

As for next steps, the budget has been submitted to city council for their consideration. 

There is another public hearing with Columbus City Council coming up Friday in council's chambers at city hall starting at 1 p.m.