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Greetings, Columbus:
As we look to the New Year, I want to express my gratitude and admiration to the entire community for always rising to the occasion and lifting up your fellow neighbors. This is just one of the many reasons why I love this spectacular city.
Your perseverance and compassion are precisely what will enable us to build a better tomorrow, and I am excited to continue our momentum, and to tackle new challenges, in 2022 and beyond.
At the same time, we must remain vigilant. With COVID-19 cases on the rise once again, our best defense remains getting vaccinated (and boosted, if you are eligible) and wearing a mask where advised and appropriate. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster was recently approved for anyone age 16 and older, adding another vital layer of protection as we continue to monitor the emergence of the Omicron variant.
If you have not yet received your COVID-19 vaccine, we are still offering $100 Vax Cash to both children and adults at our participating clinics.
Wishing everyone good health, prosperity and joy,
Mayor Andy Ginther
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Despite the lingering pandemic and resulting economic uncertainty, we recently unveiled my proposed 2022 Operating Budget, which includes over $1 billion in funding to protect meaningful programs and expand essential services for individuals, families and neighborhoods across Columbus. City Council will continue to review the proposed budget, hold several public hearings and is expected to approve an amended budget early next year.
Additionally, the city has leveraged more than $140 million in federal stimulus dollars to ensure a more equitable and dynamic Columbus by prioritizing significant investments in neighborhoods, safety, affordable housing, early childhood education, sustainability and more.
And our investments don’t stop there. Last month, Columbus City Council approved the amended $1.26 billion Capital Improvements Budget. Highlights include:
- New and improved parks and playgrounds
- Renovated pools at Glenwood and Windsor community centers
- Facilities, technology and treatment centers that promote 21st-century community policing
- Resurfaced streets and sidewalk repairs city-wide
 Public Safety Remains a Top Priority
We’re listening to residents and working collaboratively with community leaders to squarely set Columbus on a path toward a safer, more prosperous future. Here are just a few of the plans underway to reduce violent crime and improve public safety:
- Recruit 170 new police officers and 125 new firefighters
- Launch a Real-Time Crime Center to analyze data and support officers in the field
- Build a new Police substation in the Hilltop
- Begin the design of a new fire station (#36) on the Northeast side of the city
- Create a new ADAMH crisis treatment center for those struggling with mental health and addiction
We cannot arrest our way out of crime; we must address the root causes as well. The updated Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy utilizes a community-wide, data-driven approach to reduce crime and enhance safety, including the expansion of our successful Alternative Response Program.
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Health, economic and social disparities have long existed due to systemic racism, and unfortunately, the pandemic has only made these disparities worse. To that end, last year I convened a committee of more than 30 public, private and nonprofit leaders to develop strategic, targeted recommendations on how Columbus can equitably recover and reach our full potential.
Earlier this month, I joined Council President Shannon Hardin and other members of the committee to unveil the Recovery and Resiliency Advisory Committee’s final report, which includes 37 recommendations to address our community’s most pressing needs. From expanding broadband access and establishing signing bonuses for child care workers to developing affordable housing units and utility and rental assistance to Columbus residents, the report and its priorities outline our next steps for fostering a resilient and equitable Columbus.
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Columbus weather can change from sunny to snowy in just a matter of hours. In fact, last winter alone, our Snow Warriors serviced nearly 95,000 lane miles — enough to drive from Columbus to Los Angeles and back 21 times!
Clearly, our City of Columbus Snow Warriors are well-equipped to handle sudden or heavy snowfalls. The city’s new Roberts Road Outpost holds 5,000 tons of salt in its salt barn and 20,000 gallons of our very own in-house beet brine, a cost-effective and eco-friendly method for melting ice on local roadways. It was great to tour the facility and meet with the incredible crews who work so hard to keep our residents and motorists safe.
Despite their impressive track record, our crews still need additional CDL holders to join the fleet and help meet expected demand. Qualified CDL holders are encouraged to apply and provide essential support for our community.
Residents can stay in the know on snowy days by following Warrior Watch for updates.
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Last week I announced Columbus' first ever Climate Action Plan, a roadmap to achieving a 45% reduction in green house gas emissions by 2030 and 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.
Last week, I announced Columbus' first-ever Climate Action Plan, a quantifiable, collaborative and multi-pronged strategy to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. This plan includes strategies to equitably promote greater community resiliency against climate change.
Work is already underway to implement several of the plan’s goals, including $10 million in my proposed operating budget to support clean energy jobs, energy efficiency initiatives and our "Green Fund" to incentivize solar projects. We will continue to work with our partners in the private and nonprofit sectors to advance their efforts and pursue meaningful action, together.
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