Today, Mayor Aftab Pureval and City Manager Sheryl Long announced the release of the Recommended Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Biennial Budget at a press conference at City Hall.

Budget documents are available here.

“Overall, I think the theme of our spending this year is meeting the City’s most basic needs. We have streets, sidewalks, parks, and buildings in need of repair—so let’s spend aggressively to fix them,” said City Manager Sheryl Long. “Our public services department is lacking investment in its staff and technology—so let’s get them the resources they need. Departments like Police, Buildings & Inspections, and Parks and Rec have created new initiatives that are proven to work—so let’s continue funding them and look at how they can grow and expand. The budget threw us several challenges this year, including a deficit that required careful attention. But I am extremely proud of the work my team has done, and very confident in both the reductions and investments we’ve decided to make.”

“We talk a lot about the fact that our budget is where we demonstrate our values, and in this year’s budget, our City Administration has once again delivered on our priorities: the financial health of the city, our ability to provide the basic services, the safety of our residents, and investments in equitable economic growth throughout our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Aftab Pureval.

The Recommended Budget is the first for this Administration without American Rescue Plan funds and facing a $10.2 million deficit. Due to careful planning, fair reductions and intentional spending, the Administration was able to achieve a structurally balanced budget. For the first time, the City received proceeds from the sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway. The $56 million is more than double what the City received last year. Through the Cincy on Track initiative, the City is focusing those dollars on existing infrastructure as required by state law. In this budget, there is a 57% increase in street rehabilitation funding, $4 million dollars to renovate the City’s aging fleet garage, plus renovations to Parks and Recreation Commission facilities. Cincy on Track projects, once under contract, can be tracked on the public dashboard.

In the Operating Budget, the Department of Public Services is receiving the largest investment. That’s the department responsible for fixing roads, collecting trash and maintaining the fleet. There’s funding for additional leadership positions, training and preventative maintenance pavement repair, as well as investments in technology. The Recommended Budget continues to focus spending on data-backed success stories with additional funding for the Building Inspector Training Academy and recruit classes for police and fire.

While the deficit and absence of federal funds created a challenge, this Recommended Budget exhibits the fiscal responsibility of this Administration.

The budget deliberation process — which includes Council discussion and community engagement sessions — will begin next week. Council will then vote to approve the final budget. The City’s fiscal year commences on July 1.