Nineteen additional Cincinnati police officers could be hired next year and 34 extra firefighters over two years under an ''interim'' 1997-1998 budget outlined Monday by City Manager John Shirey.
The proposed two-year budget calls for spending $808.4 million next year, a 6.7 percent increase over this year. In 1998, it would drop a bit to $807.1 million. City taxes are to remain the same.
This is not considered the city's ''real'' budget. Instead, it has been tagged the continuation - or status quo - budget.
Council is expected to sign off on an interim plan by Dec. 18 and adopt a revised budget in the spring.
The revised budget is to contain programs created to match goals council set during three ''strategic planning'' retreats earlier this year.
For the most part, the budget Mr. Shirey unveiled Monday continues city operations as they are. It also includes dollars for projects scheduled to receive future funding and pay raises required under union contracts.
Mr. Shirey did, however, include some requests for new spending, such as adding the police and firefighters.
Other recommendations for new spending include:
- Money to fix crumbling city buildings. Mr. Shirey said a report will soon go to council detailing $45 million needed to fix or replace buildings, including 13 fire and five police facilities.
Mr. Shirey calls for $6 million to be spent over two years. He also wants close to an extra million over two years for regular maintainence of city buildings.
- In 1998, $1 million in general operating dollars to be set aside for Cincinnati Public Schools. Another $2 million would come from general capital funds in 1998. That is part of a city commitment made to provide the schools $5 million a year for 20 years as part of a stadium deal.
Mr. Shirey said the schools can't get any city money until state law is changed to allow it. He also recommended that the city look for other revenue sources to meet its obligation.
Beginning in 1999, Mr. Shirey also recommended $1 million a year in general operating fund dollars and $4 million in capital dollars.
- $5.8 million next year and $4.4 million in 1998 for a parking garage with a proposed new McAlpin's - or other Mercantile Stores Co. store - downtown. The project is expected to cost a total of $16.2 million over six years.
- Almost $1.9 million over two years for a new payroll and personnel computer system.
- An extra $124,900 next year to maintain and repair playgrounds and an extra $371,240 for pool security and lifeguard salaries.
- Two new city solicitors to meet the law department's increased workload and a new senior planner for the planning department.
- $10 million for the Cincinnati Water Works to expand its service area.
Other highlights:
- Full-time positions are reduced by a net of 55 to 6,705. That is due, in part, because operations of Riverfront Stadium and associated parking garages were turned over to the county.
- The increase in next year's budget includes $11.3 million given the city by the state for capital projects.
- The Cincinnati Water Works, as previously announced, wants a 7 percent rate hike in 1998.
Published Nov. 26, 1996.
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