Columbus City Council OKs $18.5M in budget changes, but won't pass Gaza cease-fire resolution
Columbus City Council approved more than $18.5 million in amendments Monday night to the final 2024 operating budget, but declined demands they approve a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
The budget amendment money will be redistributed among programs such as community violence prevention, sealing criminal records, small and minority business development, youth programs, and others. The $18.5 million in city council amendments represent the body's imprint on about 1.5% of the annual spending plan Ginther released in draft form in early November.
"This budget reflects this council's priorities, but also reflects equity in our work as a city," said Councilmember Nick Bankston, who chairs the council's Finance and Governance Committee.
Council used the amendments to fund the following programs:
Center Without Walls: $300,000 for the city Recreation and Parks Department to expand opportunities for children and residents lacking immediate access to a recreation center.
Career Development Grants: $325,000 toward agencies that provide job training and skills development for residents.
Casey Goodson Jr. CDL Program: $200,000 to extend the workforce development initiative — named in remembrance of Casey Goodson Jr., who was killed by former Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Meade in December 2020 — that provides commercial driver's license training to low-income residents.
Fair Housing Enforcement: $350,000 to hire additional full-time employees in code enforcement that will enforce the existing city housing code.
Federally Qualified Healthcare Center Support: $485,000 of additional financial support for federally qualified health care centers to increase patient access and quality care.
End the Violence: $500,000 to this nonprofit, whose work is centered around violence intervention and interruption.
STEM Diversity Initiative: $300,000 toward funding programs that expose underrepresented youth to STEM-related career paths.
Project Taillight: $500,000 to work with the City Attorney's Office to provide vehicle repair to low-income residents.
Extreme Weather: $400,000 toward free shelters for residents impacted by power outages and heat waves, as well as winter warming centers.
APPS Job Readiness Program: $230,000 for a city Recreation and Parks Department to empower kids ages 12 to 14 for future careers with crisis intervention services.
Council President Shannon G. Hardin said the amendments were part of a "historic budget" that will benefit a "growing, thriving city."
With the council's adoption, the budget ordinances will be sent to Ginther for his signature.
Council declines to approve cease-fire resolution
After finishing the evening's agenda, Hardin said he would make space to continue a "productive conversation" between the council and pro-Palestine community members related to the violence in Gaza.
Dozens of residents showed up again at Monday's meeting to call on the council to pass a cease-fire resolution. Many donned keffiyehs, a traditional Arab headdress, and some painted their hands red.
Hardin said city council has been in conversation with many residents "who believe this is a moment of conviction" during the last five months about whether or not to formally pass a cease-fire resolution.
Hardin said the council "would need to have consensus among ourselves and our community" to pass such a resolution, "and we do not."
"I want to see the Israeli government end its bombing campaign and for Hamas to free its hostages immediately," he said, "but right now I am uncomfortable coming forward with a ceremonial resolution if it means even one person in our community feels less safe."
Audience members shouted and booed as Hardin and President Pro-Tem Rob Dorans shared remarks. Others yelled "Shame!" and "Cease-fire now!" as they spoke.
City councils across Ohio and nationwide have passed cease-fire resolutions recently in response to demands from pro-Palestine groups. On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris publicly called for an immediate six-week cease-fire in Gaza and a Hamas hostage release, citing the "humanitarian catastrophe" caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As Dorans spoke, Hardin had the city's livestream cameras shut off, which he said at the beginning of Monday's meeting would be left on during the comment session. Hardin said he wanted the cameras turned off because he heard cursing from the audience.
The livestream resumed nearly 10 minutes later. Six individuals who signed up to speak before council were permitted to take the floor.
One man asked councilmembers to ask themselves: "For the record, where did you stand in a time of genocide?"
Following Monday's meeting, Councilmember Christopher L. Wyche posted a statement on Instagram personally calling for a cease-fire.
"I personally believe that this Council should have called for a permanent ceasefire. My office coordinated with other offices in trying to craft a Ceasefire Resolution that everyone could get behind," Wyche wrote. "Unfortunately, we could not come to a consensus … but at least when my children ask me what I did, I can tell them I tried."
Wyche did not introduce a motion during the council meeting for a ceasefire resolution.
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@sheridan120
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus council OKs final 2024 budget, declines cease-fire resolution
