My Plan For City Hall

By George J. Zamary

A brief overview of what I hope to accomplish once elected to Cincinnati City Council.

Council members point to this year's financial crisis as caused by the present economic downturn nationally. However, this is simply not true. In the proposed budget set forth last December (2008) in the 2009/2010 Budget Message, it was reported that "[t]he City has relied on carryover to compensate for structural imbalance in the General Fund for several years. Carryover balances will not be sufficient in 2009/2010 to balance the budget." (p. 34). Thus, the current economic problem was not a surprise but expected within its own budget proposal. Maybe they did not read it, or maybe it is selective memory or revisionist history, but this is not for me say; what is apparent is that City Council has continued business as usual.

Only once in the last nine years has City Council operated with a structurally balanced budget. Expenditures have outpaced revenue, and rather than addressing this issue, Council kicked the can a little further down the road. Council continues to reduce services to its citizens in an effort to make up the gaps that are the direct result of its poor planning. This Council has waited too long and the next Council will have to address the shortfalls of the last several years.

My plans for the next two years identify key issues that I believe Cincinnati City Council must work together to address to move the city forward, including: public safety, financial accountability, and revitalizing Cincinnati's tax base.

Public Safety - City Council should make public safety its number one priority. Cutting 138 police officers does not demonstrate this Council's commitment to allow its citizens and visitors to feel safe and secure in its neighborhoods. In 2006, the City Manager recommended "hiring 65 new police officers, investing $1.5 million for strategic overtime producing the equivalent of 28 additional officers, and investing $1.2 million in "Take Back Our Streets" overtime funding producing the equivalent of 22 additional officers." (Mayor's Recommendation on the Proposed 2007/2008 Biennial Budget, November 20, 2006). The estimated overall police presence on Cincinnati streets was increased by approximately 115 officers.

Today, Mayor Mallory, the majority of Council, and the City Manager want to cut the police force by 138 officers. While Council continues to ask police to make concessions, they ignore the very position they took just a few years ago. This further demonstrates that the current problems are this Council's own making. It hired additional officers, paid to train them, and now wants to lay them off just when the benefits are about to be realized. This example demonstrates City Hall's failure to establish clear priorities for itself and its departments.

The Cincinnati Police Department ("CPD") has taken the first step in fighting crime in a more efficient and effective manner. CPD, in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati, is now collecting real-time data in an effort to make the city safer and further engage in progressive practices to make city streets safe. Council must further expand this program to allow police and residents to identify quickly where the "hot spots" are and react accordingly.

We must invest in our neighborhoods to create walkable communities. As we push for more environmentally friendly options for mass transit, we must recognize the need to have neighborhoods where citizens are comfortable walking on their neighborhood streets. Council must work with communities to further expand Citizens on Patrol, and recreate the success of Westwood's "Good Guys Loitering" program. Simply, criminals do not want to be where they are likely to be identified and then prosecuted. Council must recognize that challenging the citizens and officers who are trying to make Cincinnati safe is not a solution. It must work with its community leaders and law enforcement to make Cincinnati safer for residents and visitors alike.

Financial Accountability - It is anticipated that after November's election, the City Manager and a majority of Council will try to address the problems revenue shortfall by increasing taxes. As government grows in scope, its size and cost also increases. This is not good policy as it discourages investment by new and existing businesses, suppresses entrepreneurs from taking risks that better our lives and communities and encourages people and businesses to move outside the city limits.

I have already pledged not to raise taxes when elected to Council. I also believe tax cuts and incentives are needed to solve the city's fiscal crisis. I propose cutting taxes in conjunction with all department and agency directors identifying 5% to 10% in cuts within their budgets each year for the next Council term. Council must rely on these civil servants to identify where they can save the taxpayers' money. If a department is unable to meet these parameters, then alternatives to make the agency operate more efficiently will need to be identified and implemented.

Revitalizing Cincinnati's Tax Base - Jobs, businesses, and residents have left the city. Since the 1970s, Cincinnati has lost approximately 1/3 of its population while other cities like Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington, and Louisville have gained population. This result demonstrates failure at City Hall. It is through human capital that we will create opportunity and fuel our economy. Cincinnati must create a lively urban core that attracts businesses, jobs, and residents.

Business investment and new jobs locating in Cincinnati lead to increased tax revenues from sales, property, and income taxes. This will not only improve the overall appearance and presence of our neighborhoods, but it will also make it more attractive for new residents to call Cincinnati home. We must bring another Fortune 500 company to Cincinnati to further develop its presence on the world market.

Cincinnati must also continue to recognize the value of its art organizations. An economic study by the Economics Center for Education & Research at the University of Cincinnati stated that in 2005, art organizations provided over $239 million annually to the local economy. This not only makes Cincinnati a vibrant community, but one attractive to new residents. Council must encourage investment for private organizations such as the Fine Arts Fund to ensure this revenue stream continues to grow.

Conclusion - Once elected to council, I promise to work with other likeminded members to encourage investment in Cincinnati's greatest resources, its businesses and residents. Cincinnati will never tax itself to prosperity and further revenue producing schemes will merely drive more people outside city limits. We must work together to build a better Cincinnati! With your help, we will, starting November 3, 2009.

Remember "Z" for Zamary on Election Day!