Despite tightening revenues, Fort Mitchell’s proposed budget avoids tax hikes while boosting public safety staffing and traffic calming efforts.
On May 19, council members and department heads discussed the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, after the group worked in breakout groups to discuss the city’s needs during a previous budget planning session.
At the May 5, 2025, council meeting, Mayor Jude Hehman spoke on the proposed budget.
“It’s tight,” Hehman said. “With some economic uncertainty, I plan on presenting a budget that is not going up, but is holding the line. I don’t want to increase any taxes or anything like that, but hold the line.”
The city is planning for lower revenue and expenses next fiscal year. However, they do intend to make some changes in the 2025-2026 budget. Some of those changes include the following:
- An additional officer in the police department
- An additional full-time firefighter
- Two new speed humps
City administrator Edwin King helped explain the police department’s request for a new officer.
“We have several officers around retirement age,” King said. “We like to have at least two on the street at a time, and an extra officer would give us some flexibility.”
Similarly, he said the fire department functions best with six employees on the day shift. In the past year, they have largely worked with five, and King said an additional full-time firefighter would help round out their staffing model.
Finally, the speed humps installed after last year’s ordinance change have been a resounding success, according to the city council. They have set aside $20,000 in the budget for a speed hump on Pleasant Ridge and another that does not yet have a set location.
Council members said on May 19 that they are satisfied with the proposed budget.
“Credit to the department heads, I think this is a very good budget,” council member Greg Pohlgeers said. “We can do all this and still be good stewards of taxpayer money.”
Council will perform the first reading of the proposed budget at the June 2 meeting. Council will hear the second reading and cast a vote at the June 23 meeting.
