Stay ConnectedThe city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are run by the same party. There is no overight or dissenting voice….this is where Todd Zinser comes in. Todd bio is below
https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP19/20150225/102984/HHRG-114-AP19-Bio-ZinserT-20150225.pdf
He will keep an eye out on all the shenanigans in Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati. Nothing gets by Todd Zinser…the Citizen Watchdog
Copyright: © Copyright Joe Strecker Productions
Todd Zinser explores the complexities of local government investments, focusing on how public funds are managed, invested, and overseen. Guest Ralph Hodge shares insights on investment strategies, transparency, and fiduciary responsibilities in the public sector.
In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the Rising 15 neighborhoods in Cincinnati and the proposed reparations program aimed at addressing historical injustices related to housing discrimination. He explores the historical context of Cincinnati's housing policies, the various motions related to the Rising 15, and the implications of the reparations motion introduced by city officials. The conversation delves into the funding sources for the reparations program, the challenges it may face, and the importance of understanding the historical context behind these initiatives.
Todd Zinser discusses the ongoing challenges facing the Cincinnati retirement system, particularly in light of a recent mediation regarding a class action lawsuit. The conversation delves into the funding status of the pension system, the implications of the Cincinnati Futures Commission's recommendations, and the potential regionalization of the city's waterworks as a means to address the pension deficit. The episode highlights the city's moral obligations to its retirees and the need for strategic financial planning to ensure the sustainability of the pension system.
In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the ongoing issues surrounding the Cincinnati railway trust fund and the city's struggle to effectively utilize the funds for infrastructure projects. He highlights the low percentage of funds spent, the challenges faced by the city in managing these resources, and the need for better accountability and transparency. Todd offers recommendations for improving the situation, including increasing the city's capacity to manage infrastructure projects and establishing a more effective drawdown system for fund distribution.
In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinser reflects on the past year of podcasting, discussing key themes such as public safety, railroad issues, internal audits, and ongoing investigations like the lead pipe scandal. He emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in city governance, highlighting conflicts of interest and the impact of COVID funds on local government. Looking ahead, Todd shares his plans for future initiatives and the importance of oversight in Cincinnati.
In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinser delves into the complexities surrounding the COVID funding received by the city, exploring how the funds were categorized, the challenges in tracking their distribution, and the implications for future tax increases. He highlights the lack of transparency in spending and the need for accountability in how the funds were utilized, particularly concerning nonprofit support and budget stabilization efforts.
In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the mechanics of passing legislation in city council, focusing on the increasing normalization of emergency ordinances. Todd highlights the implications of this trend on democracy, citizen engagement, and the legislative process. Through research and analysis, the Citizen Watchdog reveals the alarming frequency of emergency ordinances and the challenges they pose to public oversight and accountability. Todd calls for reform to ensure that citizens have a voice in the legislative process and emphasizes the need for transparency in local governance.
In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the recent proposal to increase the earnings tax in Cincinnati, examining the city's financial situation, including the impact of COVID relief funds and previous tax increases. Todd argues that the city has sufficient funds and questions the justification for the proposed tax hike, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in city budgeting.
Takeaways
In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinzer discusses the complexities of taxation in Cincinnati, focusing on the recent tax increases, historical context, and the implications of government spending. He critiques the current city council's approach to managing taxes and budgets, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency in public finance. The conversation also touches on the impact of property tax reassessments and the potential for earnings tax increases, urging listeners to remain vigilant about government financial decisions.
****** CORRECTION NOTICE **********
At approximately 13:20, Todd misstated the gross increase in county property tax collections. He said the increase was $128 million; the correct figure is approximately $184 million. The error understated the increase, and the overall point remains the same.
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