Rochester Reporter

Rochester City Council approved my administration’s spending plan that will support our efforts to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester. This budget is a detailed guide that will take our city from a poverty mindset to a prosperity mindset. It is prudent with its use of taxpayer resources and bold with its objectives to lift Rochester to the upper echelon of great American cities.

• The City of Rochester’s 2023-24 budget:
• Holds the property tax levy flat;
• Does not raise user fees on refuse, recycling or public works;
• Continues dedicated funding to the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention programs;
• Increases the hours of operation at all R-Centers year-round;
• Continues funding of the City’s Summer of Opportunity Program which provides work opportunities for youth during school summer break;
• Funds health, wellness, and social-emotional programming at City R-Centers using ARPA funds;
• Funds Police Officer wellness and invests in digital evidence collection and business intelligence initiatives;
• Adds a Director of Emergency Management in the Mayor’s Office to oversee our Emergency Management system and coordinate the City’s response to disaster and emergency matters;
• Continues City and ARPA investments in lead service water line replacements, many of which impact our most disadvantaged neighborhoods;
• Increases full-time positions in our Neighborhood Service Centers, Code Enforcement Inspection team, Winton Branch Library, R-Centers, and Financial Empowerment Centers;
• Converts 33 less-than-full-time positions to permanent full-time, providing viable career paths and financial stability for these City employees; 
• Continues funding of the City’s Buy The Block Program to build new homes for income-eligible residents on vacant lots in formerly redlined neighborhoods through the Housing Trust Fund using ARPA funding;
• Supports the Young Adults Manufacturing Training Employment Program’s (YAMTEP) efforts to provide manufacturing skills and training to young adults looking to enter the workforce;
• Funds Rochester’s Guaranteed Basic Income program which will provide payments to 351 qualified individuals for one year;
• Includes continued funding for the City’s tree expansion and beautification program;
• Funds investments in public art through the 1% for Public Arts legislation; and
• Invests in transformational projects that will revitalize Rochester, grow jobs, attract tourism, and strengthen neighborhoods, including ROC the Riverway, the Convention Center, Bulls Head, and Vacuum Oil.

It is critical that we stay focused on the real work that is before us. With the investments outlined in this budget, we will leverage our available operating, capital and once-in-a-lifetime American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to transform Rochester into a city that inspires hope and delivers opportunity for everyone.

Original source can be found here.