| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: October 5, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 or Dan Williamson, 645-5300 |
Council, Mayor Launch Effort to Review Funding for Jobs, Human Services, Arts and Tourism
The Columbus City Council and Mayor Michael B. Coleman have launched a joint effort to review current, future and potential non-income tax revenue, and the way the City funds economic development, human services, cultural arts and the promotion of travel and tourism. This effort will be shaped by recommendations made by the recently created Funding Review and Advisory Committee.
The Committee consists of community leaders who represent the cultural arts, human services, travel and tourism, and business communities, as well as experts in municipal finance, economic development, and public policy. The committee will be chaired by Tom Katzenmeyer, Senior Vice President of The Ohio State University. City Councilmembers Priscilla R. Tyson, Hearcel F. Craig and Zach M. Klein will serve as ex-officio members of the committee, and various City staff will support their work. The committee is expected to hold its first meeting later this month or early November, and hopes to conclude their work in 6-12 months.
“We recognize there is more we can do as a community to create jobs, bring new people to our city, raise our quality of life with access to public art, and serve those most in need,” Mayor Coleman said. “This committee is made up of great community leaders who will help us determine the best way to accomplish these goals.”
“I am thankful our partners in the human services, business, arts and travel and tourism communities have stepped up to help the Mayor and Council chart a sustainable path forward,” said Council President Andrew J. Ginther. “Each of these areas are critical to the continued success of Columbus, and we must maximize our investment to promote economic development, meet the needs of the least among us and ensure Columbus remains a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”
The committee will be encouraged to study all aspects of city finances not directly connected to the City’s income tax, and is expected to operate in a similar fashion to the Columbus Economic Advisory Committee, a group that studied and ultimately made recommendations to city leaders that has Columbus on track to reduce government spending and save an estimated $144 million by 2019.
In preparation for the first Committee meeting representatives of the Mayor and Council will be meeting with key stakeholders to better understand varying perspectives, and to ensure the success of the group as it prepares to make recommendations for long-term, sustainable strategies that will maintain core city services, promote economic development, and support human services, the cultural arts and the travel and tourism industry.
A roster of current committee members is attached.
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