Mayor Dan Horrigan Releases 2018 Issue 4 Budget, Detailing Millions in New Investments in Akron’s Police, Fire, and Streets

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 22 -- The city of Akron issued the following news release:

Today, Mayor Dan Horrigan released the City's plan for spending "Issue 4" funds in 2018. The budget outlines a plan for more than $13 Million in increased investment in police and fire protection and roadway improvements in Akron.

On November 7, 2017, Akron voters overwhelmingly supported Issue 4, a charter amendment that levied an additional .25% income tax to support police, fire, and roadway improvements in Akron. The tax took effect on January 1, 2018 and the City will receive additional revenue starting in February.

"This budget is a reflection of promises kept," Mayor Dan Horrigan said. "While my administration continues to tackle difficult financial challenges resulting from cuts in state and federal funding, I am proud to budget for $13 million in new investment in our core city services that will keep our neighborhoods safe and strong. As pledged, these new funds will be split roughly equally between police, fire, and roadway improvements, depending on the most pressing needs of each department each year."

"We are incredibly thankful that the community came together to raise this critically important and much-needed revenue," Fire Chief Clarence Tucker said. "I'm proud to say that, thanks to these new funds, we expect to break ground on a new Station 2 this year--our first new fire station in several decades. Additionally, this year we will be able to purchase the recommended second set of fire gear for all our firefighters and extractor machines for every fire station, to ensure our front line personnel always have access to a clean, safe set of protective gear."

"In the Akron Police Department, we will be purchasing 50 new vehicles to replace deteriorating cruisers, investing in our body-worn camera program, and making important updates to our 9-1-1 operating software to improve our service to the public," Akron Police Chief Ken Ball said. "Without these funds, much of this simply would not be possible."

The full 2018 Issue 4 budget is available here (http://www.akronohio.gov/cms/resource_library/files/2803ea937e76d868/issue_4_2018_budget_final.pdf).