Press Releases

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Mayors Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s 31 largest cities, held its annual membership meeting December 12, 2024 at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. During the meeting, the mayors outlined the organization’s policy and legislative priorities for next year, including consistent state funding to support local public safety costs.  
 
“We look forward to working with our partners in the state legislature to ensure that our state and our local communities thrive,” said Findlay Mayor and OMA Board Member Christina Muryn. “Cities play such an important role in driving regional growth and supporting Ohio’s statewide economic success, but more collaboration is necessary on issues such as public safety, housing, and economic development.”

The first recommendation from the bipartisan mayors’ group is to establish a new, dedicated state funding stream to support local public safety needs. The fund would be allocated to local governments with full time police departments by formula and would be directed to helping address the rising costs of critical public safety needs in Ohio’s local communities.

“The largest budgetary expense for most cities throughout Ohio is public safety and those costs continue to increase every year, especially for hiring, attracting, and retaining talented public safety personnel,” said Cleveland Mayor and OMA Board Member Justin Bibb. “Providing state funding support would go a long way to help our cities improve public safety and support our first responders.”

In addition to a dedicated public safety fund for local communities, the Ohio Mayors Alliance also proposed:

• the establishment of a state commission on home rule;
• a state program to incentivize pro-growth housing policies;
• more local regulatory protections on products such marijuana and tobacco sales; and
• support for a range of state economic development initiatives and programs that support local communities.

The mayors emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the need to continue working together with state leaders. “We look forward to working with the state legislative leaders and Gov. DeWine in the next General Assembly session,” said Youngstown Mayor and OMA Board Member Tito Brown. “We know there is common ground on issue like public safety, housing, and economic development and we look forward to making important progress on these issues for our communities and the entire state of Ohio.”

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined the mayors to provide an update on the DeWine administration’s priorities. Ohio Development Director Lydia Mihalik also spoke about population trends in Ohio and led a panel discussion on the topic with Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue, and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval. Other issues covered during the meeting were cybersecurity measures, effective local public safety strategies, and other topics impacting Ohio cities.

“Ohio Mayors Alliance meetings are an important forum to hear from state leaders and discuss our priorities as local leaders,” said Fairfield Mayor and OMA Board Member Mitch Rhodus. “We had a productive discussion today and appreciate Lt. Gov. Husted for his leadership and for sharing his time today.”
 
The bipartisan mayors group also elected Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith to the Ohio Mayors Alliance Board of Directors to fill a vacancy left by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. Mayor Ginther nominated Mayor Smith after stepping down, as he is also currently serving as the President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

“We are incredibly grateful for all the time, dedication, and leadership that Mayor Ginther has provided during his time serving on the OMA Board. We know he will remain engaged and we look forward to our continued work together,” said Parma Mayor and OMA Board Member Tim DeGeeter. “We are thrilled that Mayor Smith has stepped up and we look forward to welcoming her onto the OMA Board.”