City Council Hosts Mayor’s Administration for Day 1 of 2023 City of Cleveland Budget Hearings

Feb 14, 2023

Cleveland, OH (Feb. 14, 2023) - On Tuesday, February 14, City Council’s Diversity, Finance, Equity, and Inclusion Committee heard from the Mayor, and Chief Financial Officer about the construction of the city’s nearly $711 million budget. Members also heard presentations about the proposed budgets for City Council, Office of the Mayor, Planning Commission, Landmarks Commission, Boards of Building Standards & Appeals, Zoning Appeals, and Boxing and Wrestling Commission. 

The budget hearings are a yearly tradition, mandated by the City Charter. The hearings last for approximately two weeks. The budget serves as the governing document for how the City provides quality safety and services to Cleveland’s residents, workers, visitors, and businesses. Reviewing and approving the annual budget is one of Council’s key responsibilities. 

The members posed questions to the mayor about the budget and shared community member concerns and priorities with the budget. Council members are responsible for the oversight of the City’s budget, and pressed the administration about numerous issues, including the following: 

• Investing in public safety
• Improving educational quality & options
• Investing in Operations and maintenance of Cleveland Public Power
• Eliminating vacant positions in the Division of Police
• Addressing kitchen-table issues such as road repair, potholes, home repairs, building & housing issues 
• Modernizing Human Resources, hiring, and recruiting workers
• Improving and expanding recreational opportunities

Council’s Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s budget hearings will resume on Wednesday, February 15, at 9:00 am. Over the next days and weeks, Council will be briefed by every department in the City and will review their 2022 accomplishments. Additionally, Council will discuss the proposed budgets for 2023, including staffing, programs, and services. 

The Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, February 15 to discuss the budgets of the Departments of Public Safety and Justice. All hearings are held in Council’s Mercedes Cotner Committee Room and are open to the public. The hearings can also be watched on Council’s YouTube page or on TV20’s website. 

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