COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mayor Andrew Ginther sent the largest proposed city budget in Columbus' history to city council for approval on Wednesday.
According to a release from the mayor's office, the $1.99 billion proposed budget for 2024 includes money for crime-fighting tools, technologies and facilities. One of those facilities includes $3.3 million to design a new Easton police substation.
One of the biggest investments is $150 million for a new Franklin County Municipal Court building.
Another $104 million will be used to build new and affordable homes, preserve "naturally occurring affordable housing" and invest in permanent supportive housing for homeless people.
$50 million will be used to contract the Real Time Crime Center & Public Safety Campus in North Linden. Construction for the crime center began in October 2023. 10TV previously reported that the center will provide a space for 911 dispatch services as well as for technical staff to analyze data that can be communicated to officers in the field. The center is expected to be up and running by late 2027 or late 2028.
The city is also proposing $24 million for constructing a new fire station on the far northeast side and renovating Fire Station 10 on West Broad Street.
“This budget demonstrates our commitment to strengthening community safety, affordable housing, and transit and utility infrastructure as our region grows in impact and influence,” said Mayor Ginther. “By putting in place the infrastructure needed to ensure that every resident is empowered and enabled to thrive, we are embracing smart and equitable growth in ways that improve quality of life and lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous future.”
The full budget proposal can be read here.