Council Member Linda Omobien on Monday evening thanked the City of Akron’s administration for “listening to the concerns that were expressed … and finding dollars to prioritize those areas that are critically important to our city.”
In particular, Omobien mentioned the additional $45,000 secured for the Citizen’s Police Oversight Board to hire a part-time data analyst. “It speaks volumes to the citizens of Akron that we’re taking this oversight committee seriously and trying to do the work that’s necessary,” Omobien added.
After numerous city council meetings, council committee meetings, town halls and countless emails, phone calls and other conversations, Akron City Council on Monday approved the nearly $800 million operating budget, finalizing the fiscal blueprint Mayor Shammas Malik proposed earlier this month.
Nearly three-fourths of the general fund budget (71%) pays for the city’s approximately 2,000 employees, including a 2% cost-of-living increase.
City of Akron budget: Investing in EMS, child care, youth programming
The 2025 budget, which stands at $798.6 million, prioritizes a variety of strategic investments to help improve public safety, youth services and community well-being. Some of the most significant investments include:
- $1 million to replace cardiac monitors in EMS vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives.
- $125,000 to pilot an expanded pre-K and child care initiative focused on workforce recruitment and training and professional development.
- $73,000 for a hospital-linked violence intervention coordinator to provide crisis intervention, counseling, service connections and long-term case management related to gun violence. The coordinator will be a part of a proposed project with hospital systems the city plans to launch this year.
- $125,000 for the Youth Success Summit to provide out-of-school time opportunities for Akron’s youth.
- $100,000 in funding for sports and wellness programming.
Akron After School Program receives funding boost
The Akron After School Program, a program that provides math and reading support to children, received an additional $50,000 Monday afternoon during the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting. The program, which also gives youth a chance to explore new interests, serves more than 2,500 students weekly across 28 schools, according to the site.
“They do a really good job and had not received an increase from the city for well over 10 years,” At-Large Council Member Jeff Fusco said during the committee meeting.
In total, the program will receive $250,000. Fusco also said city grant managers will search for additional funding sources for the program.
Funding approved for oversight board’s data analyst position
The Citizen’s Police Oversight Board initially hoped to receive nearly $966,000 in 2025, $500,000 more than its 2024 budget. Instead, the oversight board will receive $589,000 this year, including funding to hire a full-time executive assistant and two part-time interns, as well as the data analyst.
In addition to the new staffing, funds will be used for the purchase and implementation of case management software aimed at improving the oversight board’s effectiveness.
Akron’s budget amendment: These items increased, decreased
The budget includes several amendments totaling $245,000:
- $50,000 for after-school programming.
- $45,000 for a part-time data analyst position for the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board.
- $100,000 for Keep Akron Beautiful.
- $50,000 for the city’s mowing program.
To offset these additions, the following reductions were made to other budgeted expenses:
- $150,000 reduction in street lighting expenses.
- $95,000 reduction in property tax payments.