Akron mayor unveils $815 million spending plan for city for 2024
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Akron City Council got its first in-depth look Monday at an operating budget that emphasizes Mayor Shammas Malik's major initiatives, including public safety, economic development and more.
On Monday, the newly elected mayor released a summary of his administrative spending proposal for 2024. The $815 million spending plan includes $365 million for a slate of capital projects that the council unanimously approved last month. The overall amount is a 1.2% increase from last year's budget primarily due to staffing costs, the mayor's office explained in a news release, pointing out that 69% of general fund expenditures are going toward support for staffing that includes for the highest number of uniformed police officers and firefighters in over 20 years.
The administration said it expects the increase in expenditures to be offset by rising income and property taxes, a 2% and 24% hike respectively.
Additionally, $61 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money will be utilized.
In the release, the administration said that this year's budget focuses on public safety, realigning the mayor’s office with strategic personnel decisions, and investing in community initiatives around education, economic development, and more.
"In addition to public safety and personnel, we are going to fund more opportunities for our youth as a key partner in the Youth Success Summit, invest in the launch of the THRIVE program which supports small businesses with a focus on Black-owned businesses and continue to invest in our (ARPA) initiatives," Malik said. "I look forward to engaging with our residents and councilmembers on this year’s proposed budget.”
View the proposed budget overview here. For the full executive summary click here.
The city will present the budget to Akron residents at a community town hall meeting, where they can engage in a Q&A session on March 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Firestone Community Learning Center at 470 Castle Blvd. Council is expected to vote on the operating budget by March 25. Residents can also share their feedback or ask questions by visiting the city's public engagement webpage.
Some of the items highlighted by the mayor include allocating $1.2 million to violence intervention and prevention funding through ARPA.
Budget hearings will take place before City Council this week. The meetings will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the council’s YouTube page.
Highlights of Malik's operational spending plan
Malik's plan for 2024 spending:
Allocates $1.2 million to violence intervention and prevention funding via ARPA.
Designates $500,000 to support youth out of school time opportunities as a key partner with Youth Success Summit.
Designates $250,000 to support planning for the city’s Bicentennial celebration.
Adding a housing specialist and a mediator for the municipal court.
Budgets for 2,055 full time employees, up from 2,019.
Designates $7.5 million for the water main replacement program.
Allots $2 million in ARPA funds for lead services replacement. After this year’s program, the city will only have 1,000 lead service lines remaining.
Puts a total of $28.9 million toward parks, community centers and public spaces.
Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Mayor Shammas Malik unveils 2024 operating budget, ARPA spending
