Our Budget Tells a Success Story

Together, we accomplished a great deal in 2022.  With historic investments as a result of the infusion of American Recovery Plan dollars and a strong economy post-COVID, there is a great deal to be proud of.  You can see the status of Toledo Recovery Plan investments here. 

For 2023, the proposed budget revenues and expenditures total approximately $996 million with a general fund budget of approximately $324 million. We have proposed a capital improvement to general fund transfer of $18 million and an $8 million reduction in the general fund balance. Remember, however, that we conservatively budgeted an $18 million transfer this year, too, but ended up not having to transfer any money at all. I am confident that by working together we can reduce the CIP transfer once again next year.

With strong income tax collections, additional dollars available for projects in the Capital Improvement fund, and continued ARPA investments, next year we will be able to make more investments in our city than ever.  Among many other things, this budget accomplishes the following:

1. Continues our commitment to growing the size of our safety forces by allocating dollars for 50-member police and fire classes. 
2. Allows us to implement the city’s first-ever disparity study to ensure our contracting is as fair and equitable as it can be. 
3. Makes historic investments in community centers including breaking ground on the new Wayman Palmer YMCA.
4. Repairs 120 roads and over 51 lane miles. 
5. Takes a fresh approach to fixing sidewalks, which will result in more sidewalks being repaired than ever before. 
6. Continues to make investments in parks and youth, including improvements to give Toledoans access to Penn 7, an urban wetland. 
7. Invests in our workforce with the technology and equipment needed to raise the bar on how we deliver essential city services.

We should all be proud of what we were able to accomplish together in 2022.  I believe the 2023 budget, along with the Toledo Recovery Plan, sets us up for the most impactful year in Toledo’s history.

I look forward to working with members of Toledo City Council, the members of my Cabinet, and the community in 2023.  Special thanks to the members of our Finance Department who worked so diligently to get the budget submitted on time. 

I had a great visit this week with Brownie Troop 1015 from Monac Elementary School. The girls stopped by my office last week to learn about my job as Mayor. They were excited to tour my office and look out over the magnificent view from our conference room...they even earned a  Brownie civic badge for their visit.

Have a great week, Toledo. 

BOIL ADVISORY

Spanish Language Educational Session 

Barstool Sports! 

The City of Toledo and the University of Toledo were able to host the crew of Barstool Sports as they were in town for the UT vs. BGSU rivalry game. Thousands of people came out to enjoy the game and the Barstool College Football Show, and they even invited Mayor Kapszukiewicz to come on and talk a little football. 

Two years ago during the height of the pandemic with the sports world shut down, playing a college football video game, Dan “Big Cat” Katz of Barstool kept Toledo sports fans and hundreds of thousands around the world entertained while broadcasting games competing as the Toledo Rockets. As promised in 2020, if he pulled off the championship with the Rockets, Mayor Kapszukiewicz would get him a key to the city.

He did win that championship, and yesterday Mayor made good on that promise!

Get a Rebate for Using Electric! 

This Month's Business Spotlight: Aqua Culture

“Aqua Culture is a wonderful example of the expertise and product diversity found among our Toledo small businesses. Not only do they host ceramic classes, they also showcase an ocean wonderland of fish, coral, and accessories in the heart of the Great Lakes. I encourage everyone to stop in to be amazed and educated!” – Sandy Spang, Deputy Director of Economic Development

Laurie Clark, the owner of Aqua Culture, LLC, was driving home one day thinking about her future after leaving a 28-year career in advertising and marketing. Clark thought that she wanted to focus on a new and exciting venture that would give her purpose.  READ MORE.